EVER ANCIENT, EVER NEW

Late have I loved you, O Beauty ever ancient, ever new, late have I loved you! You were within me, but I was outside, and it was there that I searched for you. In my unloveliness I plunged into the lovely things which you created. You were with me, but I was not with you. Created things kept me from you; yet if they had not been in you they would have not been at all. You called, you shouted, and you broke through my deafness. You flashed, you shone, and you dispelled my blindness. You breathed your fragrance on me; I drew in breath and now I pant for you. I have tasted you, now I hunger and thirst for more. You touched me, and I burned for your peace.

from The Confessions of Saint Augustine

In this most beautiful writing, Saint Augustine expresses  the depth of his love for God  as a confession for not having come to Him sooner.  Many have come to God later, and realizing the joy of belonging to Him, regret the time they lived without it.  There is no time with God and I believe He rejoices at our arriving, no matter how late.