Therese of Lisieux - Introduction to the "Little Way"

The format of The Little Way of Saint Therese of Lisieux follows the "core elements of the Little Way"; each main section of the book is about these five elements:

1. Joyful Humility as a Little Child of God
2. Bold Confidence in God's Mercy and Lovingkindness
3. Tranquil Trust in the Actions of God's Limitless Love
4. Persistence in Prayer as a Simple Raising of the Heart to God
5. Daily Practice of the Little Way of Love

I plan to go through one section each week, attempting to capture the essence of each section since there is far too much to include it all in the weekly blog post.

One suggestion that comes to mind for you the reader is that you let the truth of each section "simmer" or "marinade" in your heart and mind for that week, allowing the Spirit of God to help it seep deeply into you - a practice of meditating that can help the integration of the brain, thereby enabling you to know God in the biblical way of knowing which includes both the right and left hemispheres of the brain.

In the Introduction, John Nelson, compiler of the book, says in this about Therese:

"She was tough-minded, direct, devoid of pretense and pretentiousness, matured in practicality and honesty. She had a real sense of fun and humor, even relishing the ridiculous, and her company was cheerful...

"Her life and teaching focus on the roots of our faith in Jesus Christ, who came to call sinners; ate with them; taught them; and called them His little ones. Pope Pius X named Therese as the greatest saint of modern times, but in the eyes of her contemporaries she appeared to live an uneventful, ordinary life as a provincial nun. Nevertheless, within a few decades she became one of the most loved of the saints. It is only little more than a century since she discovered 'a short, direct, new way' to perfection, a 'little way' available to everyone in any state and walk of life...Jesus had given her the inspiration. In His earthly ministry He had urged us to become as little children. Therese understood that little children cannot perform great deeds, but can and do give great love....So she confidently pursued the little way of love of a child of God, saying that everything she did in this way must be possible for any ordinary person like herself."

My prayer is that we will be inspired by this seemingly insignificant young woman to walk in simple daily love to God and those around us with the assurance that the little deeds of love count to Him.