The Story of a Soul, The Autobiography of Saint Therese of Lisieux: New Illustrated, Annotated Study Guide and Workbook Edition

by Thérèse of Lisieux

“the thoughts of the Lord are not our thoughts, His ways are not our ways.”

every flower created by Him is beautiful, that the brilliance of the rose and the whiteness of the lily do not lessen the perfume of the violet or the sweet simplicity of the daisy. I understood that if all the lowly flowers wished to be roses, nature would lose its springtide beauty, and the fields would no longer be enameled with lovely hues.

God’s Love is made manifest as well in a simple soul which does not resist His grace as in one more highly endowed.

His Mercy alone showered blessings on her.

Besides, neither one nor the other are really mine; I renounced the former by the vow of poverty, and the latter gifts are simply lent. If God withdraw them, I have no right to complain.

without God’s help this is quite as impossible as to bring back the sun when once it has set. We must forget ourselves, and put aside our tastes and ideas, and guide souls not by our own way, but along the path which Our Lord points out.

I must practice sacrifice and self-denial.

With others, my only means of success is to be firm, and never go back on what I have once said; self-abasement would be taken for weakness.

“If you want me to obey, you must be gentle and not severe, otherwise you will gain nothing.”

“We must set to work and pray hard;

How wonderful is the power of prayer!

simply tell Our Lord all that I want, and He always understands.

“All good things have come unto me, since I no longer sought them for myself.”

The Apostle then explains how all perfect gifts are nothing without Love, that Charity is the most excellent way of going surely to God. At last I had found rest.

Have you learned to suffer with joy and peace, rather than with sadness?

Prayers when angry or your heart