The Peace of Lourdes

The Peace of Lourdes
http://hergracedevata.blogspot.com

This gorgeous piece is a sacred altar to the Peace of Lourdes.

The most powerful experience at the Grotto of Massabielle

at Lourdes in France is one of absolute peace.

Peace beyond words and understanding.

I personally witnessed and became immersed in the peace

and this peace never leaves.  Even when the emotions

and the mind lose focus, the peace sits underneath,

eternally watching and loving, waiting for the storm to

pass and for the mind to become aware of Its Presence again.

When one is at Lourdes and especially during the processions,

you are struck by the absolute acceptance of those who come there

looking for healing, miracles and peace.

And this acceptance is not a passive giving-up but an active

choice of surrender to a Greater Power and

an active act of forgiveness of the self, of the world,

and of God.

The peace of accepting that one is held in the embrace

of loving powerful hands even when nothing makes sense.

The peace of accepting that Love has a plan that will bring you

peace because your own plans has not been able to do.

And the greatest acceptance that our belief systems are only

that : belief systems.  And often and mostly, we have to be

willing to change our minds and to let go of our way thinking

and believing and our need to feel secure and allow

Life to show us a different and better way of being with ourselves

and with life.

The peace of knowing that the Divine is not defined and created

by concepts and words and dogma, but our relationship

with the Divine is crafted from our pain and joy;  from our

personal experiences and our direct knowledge and insights

and that it is a highly personal, individual and unique relationship

which does not depend on the interpretation of it by others.

The peace of knowing that you can never be lost.  That the Hand

of Love has you tightly in her grip.