Monday, October 01, 2007

The Little Flower

She had a childlike faith. Her beautiful and simple love for God has always inspired me.

She is known as "The little Flower" is France, her country of birth. Her devoted and contemplative life as a Carmilte nun has inspired many. To learn more about her life click on the links here http://www.littleflower.org/learn/littleflower.asp

Here are a few wonderful words from Saint Therese of Lisieux.

"I prefer the monotony of obscure sacrifice to all ecstasies. To pick up a pin for love can convert a soul."

"Without love, deeds, even the most brilliant, count as nothing."

"Everything is a grace, everything is the direct effect of our father's love — difficulties, contradictions, humiliations, all the soul's miseries, her burdens, her needs — everything, because through them, she learns humility, realizes her weakness — Everything is a grace because everything is God's gift. Whatever be the character of life or its unexpected events — to the heart that loves, all is well."

"Sometimes, when I read spiritual treatises, in which perfection is shown with a thousand obstacles in the way and a host of illusions round about it, my poor little mind soon grows weary, I close the learned book, which leaves my head splitting and my heart parched, and I take the Holy Scriptures. Then all seems luminous, a single word opens up infinite horizons to my soul, perfection seems easy; I see that it is enough to realize one's nothingness, and give oneself wholly, like a child, into the arms of the good God. Leaving to great souls, great minds, the fine books I cannot understand, I rejoice to be little because 'only children, and those who are like them, will be admitted to the heavenly banquet'."

"For me, prayer is a surge of the heart; it is a simple look turned toward Heaven, it is a cry of recognition and of love, embracing both trial and joy; in a word, something noble, supernatural, which enlarges my soul and unites it to God.... I have not the courage to look through books for beautiful prayers.... I do as a child who has not learned to read, I just tell our Lord all that I want and he understands."

"Love proves itself by deeds, so how am I to show my love? Great deeds are forbidden me. The only way I can prove my love is by scattering flowers and these flowers are every little sacrifice, every glance and word, and the doing of the least actions for love."



10 comments:

  1. I love all the qoutations, Suzy, and I have added this post link to my blog today.Have a happy day!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Love shown in the 'little' actions. Encouraging post SuzyQ.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thank you for posting about St. Therese. I've always wanted to read her book, Story of a Soul. I like the idea of doing every little thing with love. Perfect for practising with my vocation!

    ReplyDelete
  4. I love your blog. I majored in sociology in college. God bless you for writing. The more faith based bloggers the better the internet. If you want to exchange links let me know.
    Lance
    at
    www.lancessoulsearching.com

    ReplyDelete
  5. As dear as she is to those of us who know her, think of how dear she must be to Him. If the whole world would practice what she teaches, think of what the world would be like! Thanks for the quotes to end my day on.

    ReplyDelete
  6. "Sometimes, when I read spiritual treatises, in which perfection is shown with a thousand obstacles in the way and a host of illusions round about it, my poor little mind soon grows weary, I close the learned book, which leaves my head splitting and my heart parched."

    Call me simple but at times I simply dont understand the great theological books like Thomas Aquinas Summa Thumma something lol.

    I tried to read Hans Von Balthasar(?) and ended up with a headache.heehee.

    Dont you just love Theres's simplicity?

    Peace & blessings to you Suzy:)

    Marie

    ReplyDelete
  7. I added your link to my site. Please, do the same to yours.
    Your site is so beautiful and relaxing. Visit my other sites they are from all ove the world. Christian writers uniting!

    ReplyDelete
  8. On our blog 'View from the Pews' Ginny and I have begun a 'prayer for world peace'. We hope that many bloggers will join us and place a prayer for world peace on their own blogs.

    Take a peek at 'view' and let us know if you will join in?

    Peace to you:)

    Marie

    ReplyDelete
  9. Suzy....that Youtube video you have in the sidebar. If you go into the HTML for it you can resize it from '425' to about a 100 or something and it will slot in nicely. Hope you don't mind me saying...x

    ReplyDelete
  10. THanx mike. I'm not very technical but I'll give it a try ;0)

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for your thoughts.