Whole

Today, I am deeply grateful for those of you who have supported the Dial Hope Foundation with a financial donation. So many people benefit from your giving!

Francis de Sales was one of the most revered saints of French history. Back in his day, there was a bishop who intended to write a biography of de Sales so he planned an extended visit. Wanting to know what this man was really like, the bishop went so far as to drill a hole in the wall so he could spy on his conduct. What he learned from his spying was absolutely nothing! He discovered that de Sales was the same in private as in public. He was a man of integrity.

I once heard Christian scholar Martin Marty talk about why he liked a friend so much. He said, “Her inside matches her outside.” Again, that’s integrity. It makes me smile to think about it, and I have to believe it’s worth striving for.

May we all learn to live more in harmony with what we believe – in public and in private. And, in doing so, may we experience deeper peace.

Let us pray: Loving God, you know our hearts. You know we want to live lives that are more integrated, more whole, more in tune with you. Give us eyes to see where we come up short, but give us grace so we don’t get stuck in despair. And then, give us the will and the help we need to refine, readjust and renew our lives; through Jesus Christ. Amen.