[k omalley]

"By undertaking an active prayer life, receiving the sacraments, and practicing at least some of the monastic ascesis in our lives, 'in the world,' like the Jesus Prayer, we can by God's grace, advance somewhat towards our goal."

I wish I had done more of that when my daughters were growing up. I trust in God's grace and love for us to make our efforts and even our mistakes into something good.

[Agrarian]

"I trust in God's grace and love for us to make our efforts and even our mistakes into something good."

I believe that this is exactly what happens -- God loves us (and our children) and cares about us more than we care about ourselves (or our children and other loved ones.) He just wants us to actively turn toward Him.

[Kolokotronis]

" I trust in God's grace and love for us to make our efforts and even our mistakes into something good." But we have to keep trying, no matter what. Once upon a time, a brother came to Abba Sisoes, one of the Desert Fathers, saying:

'I have fallen, Abba; what shall I do?' The old main said to him, 'Get up again.' The brother said, 'I have gotten up again, but again have I fallen.' The old man said, 'Get up again and again.' So the brother asked, 'How many times?' The old man replied, 'Until you are taken up either in virtue or in sin. For a man presents himself to judgment in that state in which he is found.'