The lowest place is the only spot on earth which is not open to envy. Here alone there is neither vanity not affliction of spirit. Yet, “the way of a man is not his own” (Jeremiah 10:23), and sometimes we find ourselves wishing for things that dazzle. When that happens, there is nothing for it but to take our stand among the imperfect and look upon ourselves as very little souls who, at every instant, need to be upheld by the goodness of God. God reaches out his hand to us the very moment he sees us fully convinced of our nothingness, and hears us cry out, “My foot stumbles, but your mercy is my strength” (Psalm 94:18). Should we attempt great things, however, even under the pretext of zeal, he deserts us. So all we have to do is to humble ourselves, to bear with meekness our imperfections. Herein, for us, lies true holiness.
 ST THÉRÈSE OF LISIEUX FROM BY LOVE ALONE, ED. MICHAEL HOLLINGS (DLT, 1986)

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