By Sister Gianna, O.C.D.
Want to increase joy in your life? Delight in life as it is, and not as you consciously or unconsciously expect it to be. This was St. Therese’s secret. She tapped into the joy-bringing power of acceptance of trials, especially her weakness, the burden of possessing a fallen human nature.
Listen to this: “My misery does not surprise me. Nor does my utter helplessness distress me. I even glory in it, and expect every day to reveal some fresh imperfection.”
Imagine waking up in the morning saying, “I wonder what fresh imperfection I will discover in myself today!” That undoubtedly smacks of sarcasm and self-denigration. But perhaps there is a more common version we say of this: “I wonder what fresh imperfection I will discover in [my husband, my boss, my son’s 8th grade teacher, etc.] today!” I have to be honest that at times, that sarcastic spirit of judgement can prevail, and I am back to square one with despising, rather than delighting, in life as it is.
St. Therese learned to make these “fresh imperfections” draughts of life-giving water, rays of light. She continues on: “Indeed these lights on my nothingness do me more good than lights on matters of faith… What an illusion!… We wish never to fall? What difference does it make, O Lord, if I fall at every instant? It will make me realize my weakness and I shall derive great profit from it. You see what I am capable of, O my God, and so You will be obliged to carry me in Your arms.”
Therese’s joy was one of throwing to the wind her unhealthy attachment to control and abandoning herself to her Father’s arms. Only then can one rest and delight in life as it is, because He is taking care of everything. Therese is most eager to help us do the same.
