Friday, July 30, 2010

The Voice of God

Christopher Columbus wrote of his trials on his fourth voyage the following account:
 
Exhausted, I fell asleep, groaning. I heard a very compassionate voice, saying: 'O fool and slow to believe and to serve thy God, the God of all! ... Thou criest for help, doubting. Answer, who has afflicted thee so greatly and so often, God or the world? ... Not one jot of His word fails; all that He promises, He performs with interest; is this the manner of men? I have said that which thy Creator has done for thee and does for all men. Now in part He shows thee the reward for the anguish and danger which thou has endured in the service of others.'
 
I heard all of this as if I were in a trance, but I had no answer to give to words so true, but could only weep for my errors. He, whoever it was, who spoke to me, ended saying, 'Fear not; have trust; all these tribulations are written upon marble and are not without cause.'
 
When I read these words I feel emotion not unlike that which Columbus himself describes feeling. And I feel so terribly proud of, and in awe of, Heavenly Father. He is exactly what a Man ought to be. When I grow up I want to be just like Him.
 
--
Be pretty if you are,
Be witty if you can,
But be cheerful if it kills you.
 
If you're so evil, eat this kitten!