Day 33 of 80

Pass Beneath the Storm

Counsels·Manuscript C·Trust & Surrender
Context
When a novice felt overwhelmed by temptation, Thérèse offered the most Thérèsian advice imaginable: don't fight the storm, slip beneath it. Greatness fights; littleness finds another way through. Even the horse story is perfect — too small to be noticed, too small to be blocked.

Under a temptation which seemed to me irresistible, I said to her: "This time, I cannot surmount it." She replied: "Why seek to surmount it? Rather pass beneath. It is all well for great souls to soar above the clouds when the storm rages; we have simply to suffer the showers. What does it matter if we get wet? We shall dry ourselves in the sunshine of love.

"It recalls a little incident of my childhood. One day a horse was standing in front of the garden gate, and preventing us from getting through. My companions talked to him and tried to make him move off, but while they were still talking I quietly slipped between his legs . . . Such is the advantage of remaining small."

St. Thérèse of Lisieux — Story of a Soul, Counsels (Manuscript C). Taylor translation, 1912 (public domain).
All 80 Days

Continue in the App

The same plan with audio, daily reminders, and progress tracking. Free on iPhone and Android.

Download the App

Get Each Day by Email

One passage per day in your inbox for 80 days. Free. Unsubscribe anytime.