I consider myself as the most wretched of men, full of sores and corruption, and who has comitted all sorts of crimes against his King. Touched with a sensible regret, I confess to Him all my wickedness, I ask His forgiveness, I abandon myself in His hands that He may do what He pleases with me. The King, full of mercy and goodness, very far from chastising me, embraces me with love, makes me eat at His table, serves me with His own hands, gives me the key of His treasures; He converses and delights Himself with me incessantly, in a thousand and a thousand ways, and treats me in all respects as His favorite. It is thus I consider myself from time to timein His holy presence.


Taken from "The Practice of the Presence of God"
By Brother Lawrence

25 things I can't stand

1. the phone ringing when I'm napping
2. my kids' whining
3. anyone else's whining
4. when people do what the doctor says, no questions asked
5. when people expect me to translate things
6. milk tea (hot, salty Mongolian drink)
7. having my electricity or hot water cut off for no apparent reason
8. when a single person with no kids tells me they're tired. Get a life!
9. rice
10. mutton
11. anyone who looks down on my husband
12. gardening (I hope my life never depends on that one!)
13. when people let their children control their lives
14. when I break something expensive
15. taking medicine
16. racism
17. divorce
18. too much (or too big) jewelry
19. when people don't turn off their cell phones in a meeting
20. when women think they don't have enough milk to nurse their baby
21. paperwork!
22. Not being able to see my brother and sisters whenever I want
    
23. when children suffer because of their parents' (or teachers' or doctor's) ignorance
24. laziness
25. casting my hard-earned pearls of wisdom before swine