HIST. D’UNE AME, CH. XII A sister, who doubted her patience, noticed, when visiting her one day, an expression of heavenly joy on her countenance and wished to know the reason. “It is because of the very acute pain I am feeling,” replied Thérèse, “I have always striven to love suffering and to give it a cordial welcome.” HIST. D’UNE AME, CH. XII “Why are you so gay this morning?” she was asked; “It is because I have had two little trials, nothing gives me _little joys_ like _little trials_.” HIST. D’UNE AME, CH. XII Another time: “You have had a great many trials today.” “Yes, but ... seeing that I love them!... I love everything the good God sends me.” HIST. D’UNE AME, CH. XII Again, when some one said to her: “It is dreadful--all you are suffering.” “No, it is not dreadful; could a little Victim of Love find anything dreadful that her Spouse sends her? He gives me at each moment what I can bear; not more; and the minute He increases my sufferings He also augments my fortitude. “Yet I could never ask for greater sufferings, for I am too little; they would be my own--my own choosing, then I should have to bear them by myself, and I have never been able to do anything all alone.” HIST. D’UNE AME, CH. XII During her long and painful agony she exclaimed: “The chalice is full to the brim. Never could I have believed it possible to suffer so much.... I can only find the explanation in my extreme longing to save souls.... Oh! I would not suffer less.” HIST. D’UNE AME, CH. XII FOOTNOTES: [88] No reader should be discouraged by this chapter on Suffering. What Sœur Thérèse says is very consoling for those who are nailed to the Cross; and others must remember that God had given to His humble Servant a _sensible_ attraction for suffering, which is a rare grace and reserved to very few souls, though many imagine they possess it, and mistake their road choosing to follow this supposed attraction. Without the sensible desire and even though experiencing an invincible repugnance to suffer, souls can be sanctified. What pleases God is that the suffering be borne with love. [89] _Imit._, III, ch. xxvi, 3. [90] Ps., xci, 5. [91] _Cf._ Eccles., xxiv, 29. [92] Matt., xxvi, 39. [93] Isa., lxiii, 3. [94] Isa., lxiii, 5. [Illustration] THE DIRECTION OF SOULS Our Lord allowed me the consolation of closely studying the souls of children.