I ADORE the Little Flower. Once I was surfing the net, looking for inspiration, and I came across a copy of her autobiography online. I started reading it, and it was so charming and innocent that I read the whole thing. I cried when she died... Both in gladness and in sadness that her little life was so short. She was so happy when she coughed up blood! Because she knew she was going to be with Jesus soon. But later the doubt and fear crept in.
What a lesson that was to me. Weakness and doubt strengthen me in an odd way. Because when *I'M* feeling weakness and doubt, I know that even the Little Flower, even the Holy Father have their moments of doubt and fear. That it's normal and natural and that it's something to be borne and that it will pass. And I can use that to comfort others who think they are doing wrong when they experience times in the spiritual desert.
What an inspiration she must have been to our great John Paul II through all the years he bore his infirmities with dignity and grace and good humor. I hadn't really understood why she was a Doctor of the Church, but the more I reflect and live my life in such a way in which I BEAR my suffering instead of whining and complaining about it and breaking down (which I'm occasionally able to do), the more I understand her doctrine.
Thank you for the opportunity to share my feelings and thoughts about Sainte Therese de Liseaux.
Thank YOU for sharing!