by Thomas Kempis

Jesus is alone to be loved for Himself, for He alone is proved good and faithful beyond all other friends. In Him and for Him, enemies and friends alike are to be loved, and before all else we ought humbly and with diligence to pray for Him, that He may be loved and honored by all His creatures. Never crave to be singularly loved or commended, for that belongs only to God, who has none like Himself. And do not desire that anything occupy your heart, or that you be occupied with love of any created thing, but that your Lord Jesus may be in you and in every good man and woman.

Be pure and clean within, free from the hindrance of  any creature, as much as you can, for it behooves you to have a clean and pure heart toward Jesus if you will know and feel how sweet He is. Truly, you cannot come to that surety  unless you are assisted and drawn through His grace and unless, all other things set aside, you are inwardly knit and joined to Him.

When the grace of God comes to a man, then he is made mighty and strong to do everything that belongs to virtue. And when grace withdraws, then a man becomes too weak and feeble to do any good deeds, and is as though he were left only to pain and punishment. If this happens to you, do not despair, and do not let good deeds go undone, but stand constant and firm, according to the will of God and turn all things that happen to you to the praise and blessings of His Name. After winter comes summer. After night comes the day. After the great storm, clear and pleasant weather shines through again.