I’m a chicken.
A big one.
I need the saints – imperfect people who made it – fought the good fight and live eternally to tell the tale. Their struggles and victories are astounding because they had the wherewithal and humility to accept God’s grace and call to holiness.
I love rediscovering St. Francis de Sales. His Introduction to the Devout Life offers direct instruction – and just like that, I hit the jackpot.
Chapter 1 blew me away (I’m such an easy sell). St. Francis discusses what true devotion is, and I have to confess that his clear definition was entirely fresh to me. Prior to this, I understood devotion to be a step or two beyond feeling love for God or another person; much like being in love or knowing with unwavering certainty that you would die for the cause, so to speak. The definition as provided by St. Francis is remarkably simple, yet another challenge from the Church Triumphant:
But, in fact, all true and living devotion presupposes the love of God…for that Love one while shining on the soul we call grace, which makes us acceptable to His Divine Majesty;–when it strengthens us to do well, it is called Charity;–but when it attains its fullest perfection, in which it not only leads us to do well, but to act carefully, diligently, and promptly, then it is called Devotion. – Part 1, Chapter 1
And there it is. To speak more plainly, true devotion is the love of God in virtuous, unhesitating action. It’s consistent, quick to move, doesn’t think twice, yet makes a considered decision.
You don’t get far into the Introductions without being compelled to examine your conscience. It’s so easy for me to put off prayer. There’s always something not-really pressing calling me home faster, or some ridiculously long Facebook check (and I can’t remember why I got on anyway.) or something “more productive” to do. We’re all busy and there are always a million reasons not to do something, especially when that something is pray; but I can’t buy my justifications anymore. Realistically, it’s time that I have, and true devotion I lack.
Now for the chicken part – St. Francis has this great analogy addressing the different types of souls. He says that ostriches don’t fly, chickens fly briefly and rarely, and eagles and swallows soar almost constantly. And so it is with souls – some people never get off the ground because they never focus on God; “well-meaning people” as St. Francis puts it, who haven’t developed true devotion, attempt flight by good actions but it’s inconsistent and infrequent; and those who are truly devout fly to God swiftly and frequently like eagles.
I know I’m a chicken and in retrospect, I think I have been for a good portion of my life. The thing about being an ostrich, chicken, or eagle is that it’s not limited to your spiritual life; the behavior is widespread and obvious if you take a second to check yourself; the result of which was not too encouraging for me. My chicken-hood is pretty deeply set.What’s so freeing, though, is that in finally having this clear shot of devotion, by the grace of God I know I can soar. Now that I know what devotion actually is, I can practice it in my relationship with God, AND in my marriage. Am I an eagle to Andrew – ready and eager to help him and work with him to raise our family? I cringe just a touch at the question. I can be better. And the good news is God can transform any ostrich or chicken into a soul who’ll reach new heights if only we ask for the grace.
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Edited re-post
Thank you for the challenge of abandoning my short flights as a chicken. The saints soared like eagles but not always initially so I have hope.
Love,
Mom
Great post 🙂
I am glad that your surgery went well and that you had enough help!
I like the bird analogies a lot…it has me thinking about my own spiritual bird.
Also, do you mind if I copy your fantastic “weekly snapshot” idea that you do? 🙂
By all means, Erin! Please do! It’s handy b/c I get to discuss ideas and concepts of being a wife, but I throw in a brief report of my own goings-on.
If you liked Intro to the Devout Life, you might also like “This Tremendous Lover” by Fr. M. Eugene Boylan. Gave my spiritual life cohesion.
Thank you! Devotion is the word for the month for my husband and I and it is the second time we get it this year. The first time around we weren’t sure what to do with this word. Now I read this post and it is starting to make sense. I have already sent it to my husband and look forward to soar, little by little, as a child of God and wife and mother.
Thank you!
I love this – a word of the month for the two of you to focus on? What a direct way to grow together!
I’m finding devotion is such a challenge for me because it calls for me to get over myself and entrust the care of my soul entirely to God’s grace. Quick acting, selfless deeds are totally doable if I’m not constantly trying to focus on me.