And what about the thanksgiving? This is most necessary, otherwise, ashamed though I am to confess it, I shall be attributing the successes to my own powers and skill and capability! It seems hardly credible, but unfortunately past experience tells me that it is all too true. In order to guard against such a distorted and absurd view of things, St. Paul tells us not to forget the _Thanksgiving_. The Lord is nigh, let me turn to Him and say: _Deo gratias_, for it is He Who has prevented my awkwardness from spoiling His work. He loves to be thanked and He notices when He is not. Let me be thoroughly persuaded that the work _is_ all His, and that if anything succeeds that _I_ do, it is only because He has allowed _His_ success to pass through me, thus thanksgiving will not only be easy but natural. But who is ever going to persuade me that no glory is due to me? "Who is sufficient for these things?" He Who condescends to be my Co-worker. He can do even that, if I love Him sufficiently to _want_ Him to have all the glory. POINT V. THE RESULT--PEACE. "The peace of God which passeth all understanding (shall) keep your hearts and minds in Christ JESUS." This will be the result, not of Our Lord being nigh, but of our _realization_ of His nearness. A great peace will _keep_, that is, take possession of, our hearts and minds. Everything will be right because it comes straight from God's Hands. "_My_ peace I give unto you, not as the world giveth do I give unto you" (St. John XIV. 27). God's peace passes the understanding of the world, it has nothing to compare with it. It passes the understanding of God's children too. It is one of the mysteries with which He blesses His own and makes life possible for them in a world of turmoil. _Colloquy_ with Him Who is nigh. _Resolution._ To remember that I am never alone. _Spiritual Bouquet._ "The Lord is nigh." FOOTNOTE: [Footnote 1: "The Secret of Mary unveiled to the devout soul" by Louis-Marie Grignon de Montfort.] THE INTERIOR LIFE. (1) HUMILITY. "I am Thy servant, I am Thy servant and the son of Thy handmaid." (Ps. CXV. 16). Janua coeli, ora pro nobis. _1st. Prelude._ The Gate of Heaven. _2nd. Prelude._ Grace to enter that gate and learn.