"God cannot inspire unrealizable desires."

Today I wanted to share a quote from Therese of Lisieux, affectionately known as "the Little Flower". She led a cloistered existence (literally) and died at a young age, but she continues to inspire many with her "little way" to holiness.

Alas! I have always noticed that when I compared myself to the saints, there is between them and me the same difference that exists between a mountain whose summit is lost in the clouds and the obscure grain of sand trampled underfoot by passers-by. Instead of becoming discouraged, I said to myself: God cannot inspire unrealizable desires. I can, then, in spite of my littleness, aspire to holiness. It is impossible for me to grow up, and so I must bear with myself such as I am with all my imperfections. But I want to seek out a means of going to heaven by a little way, a way that is very straight, very short, and totally new.

She didn't try to imitate other saints; after all, the only person who was able to achieve a perfect imitation of Francis of Assisi was... you guessed it... Francis of Assisi.

Instead, she tried to be the best possible Therese, to do even little tasks with love. Each person she met - even those whom she found to be unpleasant - she greeted, and treated, with love. This was her "very straight, very short, and totally new" path to heaven.