The Story of a Soul: The Autobiography of the Little Flower (with Supplemental Reading: Classics Made Simple) [Illustrated]

by Thérèse of Lisieux

A love which does not prove itself in action is not enough, nor is our natural readiness to please a friend; that is not charity, for sinners are ready to do the same. Jesus also teaches me to “give to everyone that asketh thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods, ask them not again.” (Luke 6:30). It is much harder to give to all who ask than to offer our services spontaneously; nor is it so hard to comply with a friendly request, but if we happen to be asked in a tactless way, we are at once up in arms, unless we are rooted in perfect charity. We find countless excuses, and only after we have made it quite clear to the Sister that she is lacking in courtesy, do we condescend to grant her request as a favor, or we do something for her which probably takes a twentieth of the time wasted in making excuses and insisting on our imaginary rights.

Ouch!