If at some time you show mercy to someone, mercy will be shown to you. If you show compassion to one who is suffering (and of course, this is not a great deed) you will be numbered among the martyrs. If you forgive one who has insulted you, then not only will all your sins be forgiven, but you will be a child of the Heavenly Father. If you pray from all your heart for salvation – even a little – you will be saved. If you rebuke yourself, accuse yourself, and judge yourself before God for your sins, with a sensitive conscience, even for this you will be justified. If you are sorrowful for your sins, or you weep, or sigh, your sigh will not be hidden from Him and, as St. John Chrysostom says, “If you only lament for your sins, then He will receive this for your salvation.” St. Moses of Optina
Saved by Love
“…your sigh will not be hidden from Him.” This is comforting – not in an overly “spiritualized” way. God knows every breath I take. Like a mother who knows her child well and can sense their slightest fear or discomfort, God can read in my sighs every thought, every emotion, every fear. When I have no words, only a sigh will do.