Am I am dog that I should do this great thing, was the objection of one when told by a Prophet of God of the great cruelties he would commit, especially on women and children. He could not suppose of himself that he would be so bad. Observe hence that it is merciful in God to discover to us gradually, as is His way of dealing with us, His children in Christ, the evil of our own hearts. If we saw and knew it all, from our early youth, we should be apt to become reckless of good conduct, and despair of salvation. As the cares of life, the temptations of the world come upon us, we learn, by sad experience, what weak, fallible, sinful creatures we are. Happy if, as we come to know this, we know also, practically and experimentally, where to go for help to meet care, and overcome temptation. Happy, if we go perseveringly to Jesus, as to Him who is able and willing to save to the uttermost all who come to God by Him. Be not cast down by any fresh discovery of the wickedness and deceitfulness of your own hearts, but see in it, a call from God to prayer, to watchfulness, to humility, to regular attendance on the means of grace, to faith in Him, who having shed His blood to open to you the kingdom of heaven, will not fail to aid you effectually,, to walk on in the narrow way to it. He that endures to the end shall be saved.
There are briars besetting every path
That call for patient care;
There is a cross in every lot
And an earnest need for prayer;
But a lowly heart that leans on Thee
Is happy anywhere.
- text taken from Daily Bread - Bring a Few Morning Meditations for the Use of Catholic Christians by Father Richard Waldo Sibthorp