My brother, believe that Jesus has long since forgotten your infidelities; He only sees your desires for perfection, and His Heart rejoices in them. I earnestly ask you, do not linger at His feet any longer; watch for “the first movement that draws you into His embrace”; there is your place… I am entirely of the opinion that the divine Heart is more saddened by the thousands of small indiscretions of its friends than by the heavy sins committed by the people of the world… But over those who love Him, who come to Him after each indiscretion to make amends and throw themselves into His arms, Jesus trembles with joy. Oh, dear brother, how little the goodness of Jesus and His merciful love are known!
(Thérèse of Lisieux, Letter 261, to Abbé Bellièro, July 26, 1897)
