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There was nothing Therese feared more than to find herself settling debts with God. And since it is only grown-ups who settle debts she intends at all costs to preserve that relationship which one finds amongst children when they are dealing with each other. She simply will not grow old, and so will not be obliged to earn heaven. She wants no reward: "At Sext a verse occurs in the Divine Office which I recite each day with reluctance; it is this: 'I have inclined my heart to do Thy justifications for ever, because of the reward'. I hasten to add in my heart, 'O my Jesus, You know well that I do not serve You for reward, but solely because I love You and in order to save souls.'

Thus Therese sees it as her special mission to view all God's attributes in the light of his merciful love; his love is not simply connected with the other attributes, it embraces them. Even his justice is manifested and comprehensible through love. And Therese attaches the greatest importance to having her teaching on this point properly understood. Not many months before her death, on the 16th July 1897, she says to Pauline: "In my manuscript I have only said a word or two on the good God's justice. But if you wish you can discover my whole mind on this matter in a letter to Father Roulland, where I have explained it at length." This letter, however, though very valuable, does not really take us beyond the point in the History of a Soul which I have quoted above: Therese writes to her missionary-brother P. Roulland as follows: "I know one must be most pure to appear before the God of all holiness, but I know too that the Lord is infinitely just; and it is this justice, which terrifies so many souls, that is the basis of my joy and trust. To be just means not only to exercise severity in punishing the guilty, but also to recognize right intentions and to reward virtue. I hope as much from the good God's justice as from His mercy -- because He is 'compassionate and merciful, long-suffering and plenteous in mercy.'