"I was feeling very discouraged with myself for not feeling a greater love for Jesus. Theoretically I knew that the 'feeling' is a gift from Him and not an indication of our actual love. But still I was concerned that I just didn't love Him enough. Then I came across something St. Gertrude had written about experiencing the same fear. She complained to Him that her heart was just a block of ice. I couldn't get that idea out of my mind. I implored Him to pick me up since I was just a block of ice and press me to His lips. In that way, I would be able to refresh Him and quench His thirst. That thought filled me with such joy, I went around all day rejoicing that I was indeed a block of ice, for as long as I am totally at His disposal, I can refresh Him. Now when I recognize that He is keeping consolations from me, I just smile to myself - knowing that as long as I trust Him patiently, my piece of ice will bring Him greater joy by my submission to His will..." (Jane)
