St. Francis and the Parsley
"One night during his last illness Francis had a longing to eat some parsley, so he humbly asked for some. But when they asked the cook about it, he said it was impossible. 'I have picked so much parsley from the garden that what little might be left I couldn't even find in daylight, leave alone at night.'
But St. Francis replied, 'Don't worry, my brother, just go to the garden and bring me the first herbs you lay your hands on.'
So the brother went out to the garden and picked the first plants he came upon and brought them back into the house. The brothers then looked over the handful of herbs and found there some leafy and tender parsley. The saint then ate a little of it and was greatly comforted. He then said to his brothers: 'My dear brothers, obey a command immediately without waiting for it to be repeated. And don't say that it is impossible, for if you are commanded something beyond your strength, holy obedience will give you the strength you lack.'" --Celano, Second Life, 51
In order to do what Francis admonishes we must know when the Lord is speaking to us and when it's just our own thoughts taking over. This isn't an issue if we are completely given over to the Lord. However, we must learn to not let the world distract or entice us to be looking elsewhere when the Lord is asking us to do something. Abiding in Christ means to be continually listening and watching for His voice, His movement in our lives so we can obey.
"One night during his last illness Francis had a longing to eat some parsley, so he humbly asked for some. But when they asked the cook about it, he said it was impossible. 'I have picked so much parsley from the garden that what little might be left I couldn't even find in daylight, leave alone at night.'
But St. Francis replied, 'Don't worry, my brother, just go to the garden and bring me the first herbs you lay your hands on.'
So the brother went out to the garden and picked the first plants he came upon and brought them back into the house. The brothers then looked over the handful of herbs and found there some leafy and tender parsley. The saint then ate a little of it and was greatly comforted. He then said to his brothers: 'My dear brothers, obey a command immediately without waiting for it to be repeated. And don't say that it is impossible, for if you are commanded something beyond your strength, holy obedience will give you the strength you lack.'" --Celano, Second Life, 51
In order to do what Francis admonishes we must know when the Lord is speaking to us and when it's just our own thoughts taking over. This isn't an issue if we are completely given over to the Lord. However, we must learn to not let the world distract or entice us to be looking elsewhere when the Lord is asking us to do something. Abiding in Christ means to be continually listening and watching for His voice, His movement in our lives so we can obey. 
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