Do you think you have little in common with St. Therese? Think again.
If I’ve learned anything in writing Trusting God with St. Therese, it’s how much Therese’s struggles were like mine. Consider these points:
- Therese was born weakened by Original Sin.
- It took her years of grace and hard work to overcome family tragedy.
- She had difficulties relating to other children at school.
- She suffered from scruples.
- God repeatedly made her wait for things she believed were His will.
- Her family members misunderstood her spirituality.
- She felt natural aversion to people with difficult personalities.
- She feared losing her remaining loved ones.
- Spiritual darkness and dryness in prayer were her norm.
- Great deeds for God were beyond her capability.
- She suffered terrible pain.
- She was tempted to despair.
Now tell me that none of those sound like you.
Think you can’t become a saint? Think again.
Therese believed in the same God you do. He was her strength and her righteousness. He can be yours as well.
Connie Rossini
Wow, those are so true. Thanks for that perspective! It’s so great when the saints are down-to-earth!
Mike, I think we’re blessed to live in an era that looks at saints realistically. Although some people go to the opposite extreme and paint them as nothing special, we are starting to shake off the view that they were born perfect and otherworldly. Distorted hagiography keeps saints as “other”–in other words, sainthood is kept for “special” people, but not us. Vatican II called us all to holiness. And God does not call us to something without giving us the grace necessary to get there.
I love this. Marvelous points to consider. Thank you!
You’re welcome, Nancy. Blessed week to you!
Yes, I can relate with several of these characteristics. Two jumped out at me: being tempted by despair and having an aversion to people with difficult personalities. The second I am still trying to overcome because it makes family functions difficult. I try to remember we all have our own struggles to overcome including people with difficult behaviors and personalities. And I have just recently, or so I like to believe, overcome a period of my life when I suffered bouts of despair. Until I began reading your blog I never viewed despair as a temptation from the devil. I could go into much detail describing how I have moved on from this feeling of despair, but I will admit learning that it is a temptation of the devil has helped empower me.
Thanks,
Maria
Maria, I’m so happy to hear that you are overcoming that temptation and that I was able to help you! I know how hard it is to avoid difficult personalities in large family gatherings. Even Therese had to sometimes run away from one nun, because the temptation to sin against her was too strong. Don’t be afraid to do the same.