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 resignation are  the  acts  of  love  which  are  most  precious and  acceptable  to  the  Heart  of  God.

When thou  hast  to  decide  upon  anything,  or  to give  any  counsel  of  importance,  first,  commend  thyself to  God,  and  then  set  about  thy  undertaking,  or give  thy  opinion. As often  as  thou  canst  during  the day, after  the  example  of  St.  Rose  of  Lima,  repeat the prayer:  Deus  in  adjutorium  meum  intende: " Lord,  come  to  my  assistance;  do  not  leave  me  in my  own  hands." And for  this  end  frequently  turn to the  image  of  the  Crucified,  or  to  that,  of  the  most holy Mary,  which  is  in  thy  room;  and  do  not  omit to make  frequent  invocations  of  the  names  of  Jesus and of  Mary,  especially  in  time  of  temptation. Since God is  infinite  goodness,  His  desire  of  communicating His  graces  to  us  is  perfect. The Venerable Father Alvarez  one  day  saw  Our  Saviour  with  His hands full  of  graces,  and  going  about  in  search  of those  to  whom  He  might  dispense  them. But it  is His  will  that  we  should  ask  them  of  Him:  "  Ask, and  ye  shall  receive,"  otherwise  He  will  draw  back His hand;  whereas,  on  the  contrary,  He  will  willingly open  it  to  those  who  call  upon  Him. And who  is there,  says  the  Preacher,  that  hath  called  upon  Him, and God  despised  him  by  not  granting  his  prayer? " Who  hath  called  upon  Him,  and  He  hath  despised Him?" (Ecclus. ii.  12.)  And  David  tells  us,  that  the Lord shows  not  merely  mercy,  but  great  mercy  to those  who  call  upon  Him:  "  For  thou,  O  Lord,  art sweet  and  mild,  and  plenteous  in  mercy  to  all  that call  upon  Thee"  (Ps.  lxxxv.  5).

Oh, how  good  and  bountiful  is  the  Lord  to  him who seeks  Him  lovingly:  "  The  Lord  is  good  to  the soul  that  seeks  Him"  (Lam.  iii.  25). If he  lets  Himself be  found  even  by  him  who  seeks  Him  not:  "  I was  found  by  them  that  did  not  seek  me"  (Rom. x.  20),  how  much  more  willingly  will  He  let  Himself be  found  by  one  who  seeks  Him,  and  seeks