Julian of Norwich, a spiritual guide in the Middle Ages, speaks of a time when being
clumsy, she spilt milk over the table and on to the floor. She had a mother who was
not angry or cross with her for doing this, but immediately helped her to clean up the
mess.
Julian compares that experience to how Christ, like a kind mother, sees our failures and
understands our weaknesses as humans, and looks upon us with compassion. We no
longer have to “cry over spilt milk.” God’s mercy is always there when we ask for it.
We no longer need to carry our mistakes with us. Each day we can begin again, asking
God to shower His love on us, as this higher power can enable us to live free of any
person or addiction that wants to enslave us.
It is good to remember Julian of Norwich’s often quoted saying: “All is well, and all will
be well, all manner of things will be well.”
• What do you do about the “spilt milk” in your life?
• Do you experience God’s compassion when you make mistakes?
• Are you able to let go of past mistakes as you begin a new day?
O God, help me experience your love and mercy each day.