In the autumn of 2001 I embarked on a year of a much desired spiritual sabbatical. My goal was to engage more time in prayer, on retreats, on spiritual reading and study, and pilgrimage. I intended to meet God and draw near to him. I had no expectations of how much he would meet me as well. I should have known he would desire my year dedicated to him much more than I did. I was not disappointed. 

The following excerpts are taken from a compilation of quotes that I have been compiling since 2001. Many saints, those who have gone before us, and some still on this side of heaven, have more clearly conveyed the Word of God to me through these quotes. How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! (Psalm 119:103). I believe most of these quotes would appeal to Protestant,Catholic, and Orthodox readers. I hope you will find true inspiration in these quotes as much as I have.

The Christian who desires to follow Jesus carrying his cross must bear in mind that the name "Christian" means "learner or imitator of Christ" and that if he wishes to bear that noble title worthily he must above all do as Christ charges us in the Gospel: We must oppose or deny ourselves, take up the cross, and follow him.

Glory be to You, who laid your Cross as a bridge over death, that souls might pass over it from the dwelling of the dead to the dwelling of life!

Whoever doesn’t seek the Cross of Christ doesn’t seek the glory of Christ.

A man shows himself a true disciple of Christ by carrying the cross in his turn every day in the activity that he is called to perform.

He who embraces the cross and bears it with patience lightens the weight of the cross. Indeed, the weight itself becomes a consolation; for God abounds with grace to all those who carry the cross with good will in order to please him.

The cross will not crush you; if its weight makes you stagger, its power will also sustain you.

Put a good bunch of grapes under the winepress, and a delicious juice will come out. Under the winepress of the cross, our soul produces a juice that feeds and strengthens us. When we haven’t got any crosses, we are dry. If we carry them with resignation, what happiness, what sweetness we feel!

Entrust the past to God's mercy, the present to his love, and the future to his providence.

Do not be afraid to throw yourself on the Lord! He will not draw back and let you fall! Put your worries aside and throw yourself on him; He will welcome you and heal you.

God is not a deceiver, that he should offer to support us, and then, when we lean upon him, should slip away from us.

Expect much of God, and he will do much for you.

God never forgets [you]. He knows your needs. Show that you are generous in accepting whatever he may send you in the future. Nothing will happen to you without him knowing it.

It is not a question of our equipment but of our poverty, not of what we bring with us, but of what God puts into us.

My secret is that I need God - that I am sick and can no longer make it alone. I need God to help me give, because I no longer seem to be capable of giving; to help me be kind, as I no longer seem capable of kindness; to help me love, as I seem beyond being able to love.

Have no fear for what tomorrow will bring. The same loving God who cares for you today will take care of you tomorrow and every day. He will either shield you from suffering or give you unfailing strength to bear it. Be at peace, then, and put aside all anxious thoughts and imaginations.

It is we who need you, above anything in the world. You give yourself to us with such total generosity, that it might almost seem that you need us. There never was a king like this before!

My Jesus, if you uphold me, I shall not fall.

Entrust yourself entirely to God. He is a Father and a most loving Father at that, who would rather let heaven and earth collapse than abandon anyone who trusted in him.

The heart of God invites all to put it to the proof. The more he gives, the more he desires to give. He loves to see the trust which makes us persist in knocking unceasingly.

You pay God a compliment by asking great things of him.

Let nothing disturb you, nothing frighten you; all things are passing; God never changes.

To be conscious of one's weakness and to trust in God's help is the way to authentic strength and victory.

Myriam Torres is a lay pastoral worker and founding member of Bethany Association, an ecumenical group of women living single for the Lord. She told her story with a little help from her friends.  This article first appeared in the January 2013 Magazine issue of The Word Among Us. Used with permission.