The Little Way
Saint Thérèse of Lisieux was born in France in 1873 and became a Carmelite nun when she was 15; she died 9 years later. Less than 30 years after her death she was recognized as a saint because of the writings of her journal, detailing her extraordinary journey as a contemplative nun. She is especially well know for her “little way” of connecting to God, a humble recognition that “in our relationship with God we are very small children. We always will be. There is no need to be anything else. On the contrary it is essential that we never try to be anything else.”
Below is an excerpt from Thérèse’s writings, describing this “little way":
It is easy to lose heart when we think of our imperfections, but think of yourself as a little child just learning to stand on her feet yet determined to climb a flight of stairs in order to find her mother.
Time after time the little child will put her tiny foot on the first step, and each time stumble and fall.
Do what that child does.
By practicing all the virtues keep on lifting your foot to climb the ladder of perfection. But do not imagine that you can by yourself succeed in mounting even the first step.
God asks of you only your good will.
From the top of the ladder he looks down lovingly and presently, touched by your efforts, he will take you in his arms to his kingdom never to be parted from him again.
But if you do not try to take that first step your stay on the ground will be indeed a long one.
During this pandemic, I feel I have been reduced to a small child in almost every sphere of my life: my thought life, my behaviors, the way I relate to my family and friends. How reassuring to know that God does not despise this childishness. In fact, all God asks of me is my “good will.” No matter how many times I fall (and in this season it has been A LOT), I can return my gaze to the Love above me and reposition my foot on the ladder’s rung. There is no expectation of perfect strength or ability. There’s not even the expectation of perfect faith or trust! All I need to do is keep returning my soul’s concentration to the gentle care of my Father.
What a gift this is: instead of of being ashamed of my weakness, I can let this “childishness” direct my gaze immediately upward, into the loving gaze of my God. He asks only of me my good will.
How have I experienced “childishness” during this time of upheaval? Where do I sense I am the most weak?
What is my response to this weakness? Do I despise it? Try to cover it up? Or embrace it?
What emotion do I feel at the idea of approaching God as a child? Can I talk to God about that feeling?
All information and quotes from Thérèse of Lisieux comes from the Simply Surrender daily reading guide. Find it here on Amazon.