“I Believe in Love” is a wonderful book, which I’m now reading for the second time.
Written by Father Jean C.J. d’Elbée, who was deeply influenced by the teachings of St. Thérèse of Liseux, this wonderful volume brings her ‘teachings on God’s love and the confidence in Him that it should inspire in your soul.’
Removing Obstacles
Here are some truly comforting words from Father d’Elbée:
‘I should like to ask you urgently, from now on, that you never let your past sins be an obstacle between you and Jesus. It is a ruse of the Devil to keep putting our sins before our eyes in order to make them like a screen between the Savior and us.’
Maybe you’re like me. You feel you’re getting close to God, then remember stuff from your past and believe He will always hold it against you. Things you've done which you can’t imagine He’s never going to forgive.
I’ve read the above passage over and over again, to remind me that the Devil, not the Lord, is the one giving me doubts in God’s love for me. I have to believe in His love and tell Satan ‘to get thee behind me.’
Having Confidence
The whole purpose of "I Believe in Love" is to give us confidence in God’s infinite mercy - mercy which is real if we believe in it.
Father d’Elbée includes this quote from St. Thérèse:
“The good God would not inspire unattainable desires: I can, then, in spite of my littleness, aspire to sanctity.”
God doesn’t give us the desire to be holy, only to make it impossible for us to achieve it. However, He recognizes that the path to sanctity isn't easy and applauds every effort we make to stay on that route.
As Father d’Elbée writes, when we stray from that path, we should “find happiness in expiation” for our weaknesses - not be discouraged by them.
P.S. In case you're interested, I did achieve my 'heroic moment' this morning. (Baby steps...!)
Written by Father Jean C.J. d’Elbée, who was deeply influenced by the teachings of St. Thérèse of Liseux, this wonderful volume brings her ‘teachings on God’s love and the confidence in Him that it should inspire in your soul.’
Removing Obstacles
Here are some truly comforting words from Father d’Elbée:
‘I should like to ask you urgently, from now on, that you never let your past sins be an obstacle between you and Jesus. It is a ruse of the Devil to keep putting our sins before our eyes in order to make them like a screen between the Savior and us.’
Maybe you’re like me. You feel you’re getting close to God, then remember stuff from your past and believe He will always hold it against you. Things you've done which you can’t imagine He’s never going to forgive.
I’ve read the above passage over and over again, to remind me that the Devil, not the Lord, is the one giving me doubts in God’s love for me. I have to believe in His love and tell Satan ‘to get thee behind me.’
Having Confidence
The whole purpose of "I Believe in Love" is to give us confidence in God’s infinite mercy - mercy which is real if we believe in it.
Father d’Elbée includes this quote from St. Thérèse:
“The good God would not inspire unattainable desires: I can, then, in spite of my littleness, aspire to sanctity.”
God doesn’t give us the desire to be holy, only to make it impossible for us to achieve it. However, He recognizes that the path to sanctity isn't easy and applauds every effort we make to stay on that route.
As Father d’Elbée writes, when we stray from that path, we should “find happiness in expiation” for our weaknesses - not be discouraged by them.
P.S. In case you're interested, I did achieve my 'heroic moment' this morning. (Baby steps...!)
RSS Feed