Into God’s Arms

(St. Thérèse of Lisieux - found here)

“The hardest part about growing in virtue is perhaps learning to rely not on oneself but on God’s grace. Of course, we all say we are grateful for God’s mercy and grace in our lives. But there may be a secret part of us wishing we didn’t need it as much as we do. We wish we could be more self-sufficient: holier, more virtuous, more put together than we are. And we are bewildered and frustrated when we fall short of the version of perfection we have set up for ourselves. But this is not humility. It may be a form of spiritual pride. And this third key for growing in virtue—learning to rely on God’s grace—challenges us to face the honest truth about ourselves, about how much we really depend on God for everything. Indeed, Jesus’ words apply to all of us: ‘Apart from me you can do nothing’ (Jn 15:5). It’s the devil who wants us to forget this foundational truth and follow a path of self-reliance. He knows that if we try to be self-sufficient and overcome our weaknesses by our own strength, we will always end up in failure, discouragement, and ultimately despair. By our own willpower, we will never get to the roots of our sins....

Jesus wants to heal the deep roots of our sins, and in the end, only he can do that surgical work. After all, he is the divine physician, not us. So, we need not only to admit our dependence on God but also to humbly accept it. Yes, accept it. ‘Lord, I need you.’ ‘I can’t do this on my own; please help me.’ ‘Jesus, help me change. I really want to change, but I don’t know how.’ ‘Help me trust you more, Lord.’ ...

We certainly need to educate ourselves in the virtuous life and persevere with all our might to overcome our weaknesses and sins. But as Saint Thérèse would say, ‘Since all that is really very little, it is important to place all our trust in him who alone sanctifies all deeds, and can even sanctify without them.’ We ultimately need to throw ourselves into the arms of our heavenly Father and rely on his grace to change us....”

~Edward Sri (from The Art of Living: The Cardinal Virtues and the Freedom to Love)

“You make me think of a little child that is learning to stand but does not yet know how to walk. In his desire to reach the top of the stairs to find his mother, he lifts his little foot to climb the first stair. It is all in vain, and at each renewed effort he falls. Well, be this little child: through the practice of all the virtues, always lift your little foot to mount the staircase of holiness, but do not imagine that you will be able to go up even the first step! No, but the good God does not demand more from you than good will. From the top of the stairs, He looks at you with love. Soon, won over by your useless efforts, He will come down Himself and, taking you in His arms, He will carry you up... But if you stop lifting your little foot, He will leave you a long time on the ground.”
~St. Thérèse of Lisieux