When St. Therese joined her obscure Carmelite convent in Normandy, each person chooses a symbol to mark things they use. Therese chose a reed to mark her belongings as seen on her clog in the adjoining image. "The reed shall not break." Isaiah 42:3. Perhaps you are experiencing a life similar to Therese's: suffering, darkness, disease, and disappointments. Perhaps God is renewing you, too. Therese was easily wounded, being hyper- sensitive (that sounds like me), spoiled, and a perfectionist (that could be me, too, though I'm loathe to admit it). She had to learn how to accept each moment as a gift from God and grow from her disappointments. Like Mother Teresa of Calcutta, also now a named saint (although many called her such when she was alive), a dark night of the soul gripped her for over a year before she died. She was denied Holy Communion because she could not keep it down due to her tuberculosis. In her absolute emptiness, she shared her deepest teaching: "Everything is grace!" God taught her He is present within every breath, experience, joy, sorrow, disappointment. And pain. Without a doubt, He is using this time of Covid isolation to teach us similar understandings. We long for resurrection and new life. Recall Jesus' first appeared when the disciples locked themselves in the Upper Room out of fear. Most of us know fear right now... We may be afraid yet one with everyone and everything. Certainly we become more deeply aware and believe God dwells in each of us. We go within to become more alive, more whole. Oct. 1. The memorial of St. Therese, the apple of God's eye. Just like you. Link to my FB live to Therese. .https://www.facebook.com/authorchrismanion/videos/2868356993446546/ . . #thereseofLisieux #StThereseoftheChildJesus #Carmelites #communionofsaints #butfirstJesus #chrissautermanion #servantleader #Christconsciousness #Godspatientpursuitofmysoul #listenwithyourheart #catholicculture #Catholiclife #discipleshipisarelationship #listeningisagift #livesofthesaint #attitudeoftheheart #faithwriters #womensministry #unshakeablefaith #whydoesgodallowsuffering #mindfulnesspractice #findingpeacewithin #thelittleway #livesofthesaints https://www.instagram.com/p/CF0DfK0lHLF/?igshid=766awh6tnz8q