I am surrounded by people who actually hate me. They do not understand me.
But, I have been given a new grace which I want you all to pray for and for which to be grateful if God gives it to you.
It is a grace which swallows up pain inflicted by others. Momentarily, I may be hurt, but then a love overwhelms me and I feel only forgiveness and peace. It is a type of objectivity, a type of consolation in chaos.
I can see evil and good, sin and grace as if it is all the same in the eyes of God.
This type of suffering is not the deep hurt of the Crucifixion, but more an intellectual and emotional acknowledgment that suffering not only can be endured, but surpassed by something bigger, something more sublime. That Something is God Himself.
I am grateful for this detachment. I must say that I do not understand it, but see all people as children of God; or at least, as His beloved creatures, even though most ignore Him. I want to stand up in this coffee shop and shout-Do you know how you are loved? Do you know what a great eternal future you have been offered?
I completely trust in Divine Providence and know that even though very bad things may happen to me, nothing matters but that I rest in God's plan, from all eternity.
No one can really hurt me.
He loves and Is Love.
Nothing else matters, but to try and share this with others.