The proud person is like a grain of wheat thrown into water: it swells, it gets big. Expose that grain to the fire: it dries up, it burns. The humble soul is like a grain of wheat thrown into the earth: it descends, it hides itself, it disappears, it dies; but to revive in heaven. -Bl Mary of Jesus Crucified
The humble soul benefits much from the grace of God. She does not lose hope nor does she despair from her imperfections. She knows her littleness, and because she is little she longs to be carried in the arms of her loving Father.
All things belong to the humble soul – truth, wisdom, mercy, love. She is able to receive all good things because she is not afraid to admit that she needs them.
She is content to disappear into obscurity because even in there, she knows she is not alone. She has the love of God, and that is enough, that is all that matters.
She does not need to speak out aloud for her life is already a testimony of God’s grace. God Himself will uplift her. God Himself will defend her.
She knows she has nothing by herself, but with God, she possesses everything.
Let your beauty be not just the outward adorning of braiding the hair, and of wearing jewels of gold, or of putting on fine clothing; but in the hidden person of the heart, in the incorruptible adornment of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God very precious. – 1 Peter 3, WEB-BE
The thing about hope is that it’s a positive force that shines the most when it’s dark. When everything’s going well, we hardly notice it’s there. But when things go against us, when our dreams fade and when we see no immediate reprieve from our troubles, that’s when hope does its best work for us.
"Where Hope Can Be Found"