Trusting in God With St. Therese by Connie Rossini-Chapter 8

Trusting in God With St. Therese 

by Connie Rossini

     Failure to be "perfect" is often a point of discouragement in our Christian walk. Our sins may lead us to believe that we are no longer loved by God.  How easily we forget about His mercy and love for us. The humility of Saint Therese is a joyous reminder of how deeply God loves His children.

     Thank you Mrs. Rossini for this chapter which encourages us to persevere, trusting in His love, even when we fail. The Sacrament of Reconciliation is a gift from our Heavenly Father which never fails to heal the deepest lacerations of our hearts. We needn't punish ourselves with despair. Only God is perfect. Jesus' love for us is unconditional. His mercy and forgiveness are available to us at all times, no matter how we fall. All we need to do is trust Him, especially when we are at our worst. May we always be filled with the courage given to us by the Holy Spirit, to lift our hearts above the depths of our sinfulness, and receive the love that Our Blessed Lord abundantly pours into our souls us at every moment of our lives.    

  

Trusting in God With St. Therese by Connie Rossini-Chapter 7

Trusting in God With St. Therese 

by Connie Rossini

    Anger, a virulent and corrosive passion, can instantaneously sweep our souls seemingly out of the reach of Christ's loving embrace. It is tempting to allow the mind to ruminate upon distracting petty annoyances, rather than to meditate upon the immeasurable mercy and love of Jesus. Saint Therese was confronted with the acerbic sentiment of fellow members of her order. She fought the temptation to descend into the emotional mire presented to her so frequently. This dear and lovely Saint consciously chose to love anyone who opposed her, for the love of Jesus. It took immense spiritual discipline to achieve the peace of Christ within her heart and to share the gentle ripples of His unconditional love.

     Thank you Mrs. Rossini for this chapter which teaches us great lessons about being missionaries in our own homes, schools or places of work. Saint Therese often said that her ceaseless work of prayer would continue even when she was in Heaven. Her holy example of the beautiful forgiveness and love Jesus tells us to have for our enemies as well as our companions, flows gloriously from Eucharistic Adoration. If we love His Holy Face, as did Saint Therese, how can anger be directed at any of His children, in whose faces can so clearly be seen His?

  

Trusting in God With St. Therese by Connie Rossini-Chapter 6

Trusting in God With St. Therese 

by Connie Rossini

    Waiting is perhaps the most challenging aspect of trusting in God. A true willingness to understand and obey His will involves waiting, which requires humility, courage and patience.  Saint Therese demonstrated these three virtues as she sought permission to enter a Carmelite Community at a very young age. Her determination was motivated by her immense love of Jesus

      Thank you Mrs. Rossini for this chapter and the beautiful account of Saint Therese's valiant yet meek union with the Carmelites. Whenever God is asked for His direction regarding any decision, He orchestrates a series of events to reveal His will, with astounding clarity,

Trusting in God With St. Therese by Connie Rossini-Chapter 5

Trusting in God With St. Therese 

by Connie Rossini

     Connie Rossini's reflections on marriage, childbirth and parenting are refreshing. Her humble sense of humor eases the reader into self acceptance, and an acceptance of God's timing in our own lives. A childlike trust in God is actually a sign of spiritual maturity. This is contrasted with "childish" efforts to measure one's worthiness by the counting of "good deeds" to gain favor with our Heavenly Father. Saint Therese's experiences as she matured spiritually are not foreign those of most aspiring saints.  

      Thank you Mrs. Rossini for this chapter which so clearly examines true motives in prayers, devotions and acts of mercy. I have often presented God with my own plans only to find that His will, though quite different from mine, has always drawn me closer to Him. For this I am eternally grateful! 

Trusting in God With St. Therese by Connie Rossini-Chapter 4

Trusting in God With St. Therese 

by Connie Rossini

     In this chapter, Connie Rossini explores how our reltionships with our fathers influence our peception of God. Saint Therese and her father Louis lived through the death of his wife, her mother, supported greatly by a strong foundation of faith. That same Catholic faith was the thread that upheld the Rossini family as their father suffered injuries and a difficult recovery from an automobile accident. Gods's love always transcends human imperfection. 

      Thank you Mrs. Rossini for this chapter which reminded me of how fortunate I am to have had a compassionate, down to earth father, whose solid faith overarched every challenge our family ever faced. The blessing of a loving Papi, helped form within me the relationship with our Heavenly Father I have today.

Trusting in God With St. Therese by Connie Rossini-Chapter 3

Trusting in God With St. Therese 

by Connie Rossini

  Among the tragic upheavals in her life, the worst was the death of young Saint Therese's mother. It took years of physical and psycholgical anguish, followed by tremendous holy fortitude and devotion to Jesus, for Saint Therese to achieve her well known spiritually mature response to suffering. In this chapter, Connie Rossini shares the story of her own childhood tragedy, the death if her sister in an automobile accident. The struggle to retain trust in God during times of loss and pain seems insurmountable. How can our souls be at peace when our lives are falling apart? I was recently in awe of the complete serenity of a holy woman I know who had received news of a "hopeless" circumstance in her life.

      Thank you Mrs. Rossini for sharing such deep spiritual truths in a way that can be easily understood.  Thank you for the following lessons I have learned from your writing and the life of St. Therese: 1) To ask "why" when faced with adversity distances us from a loving trust in God. 2) Suffering and pain do not disprove the power and omnipotence of God. 3) There is a clear relationship between free will and the love of God.

    I look forward to reading more of this lovely book as I continue to learn how life's suffering actually strengthens a holy trust in God.

      

Trusting in God With St. Therese by Connie Rossini-Chapter 2

Trusting in God With St. Therese 

by Connie Rossini

     Holy Scripture, accounts of the early years of Therese of the Child Jesus, teachings from child psychology (those compatible with Catholic moral teaching), words of wisdom from Fr. Benedict Groeschel, and Catholic moral teaching are gently woven and presented in this chapter.  Healthy child rearing advice is a sweet parallel to the love our Heavenly Father bestows upon us.

      Thank you Mrs. Rossini for sharing so bravely about your own childhood. Thank you for the following lessons I have learned from your writing and the life of St. Therese: 1) Through suffering, trust in God is strengthened. 2) Distrust in God is at the root of all sin. 3) Forgiveness, which is spiritually and psychologically healthy, is a necessary element in establishing a firm trust in God.