How ugly it is to spend time in boredom, instead of resting on the Heart of Jesus!...
If darkness frightens a small child, if it cries that it cannot see the One who holds it, let it close its eyes, let it willingly make the sacrifice that is asked of it, and then let it peacefully await sleep… Is it too much to ask of a child to close its eyes? To not fight against the nighttime phantoms? … No, it is not too much, and the small child will surrender, believe that Jesus holds it, will agree that it sees nothing, and will cast away the barren fear that it is unfaithful – a fear that does not suit a child.
(Thérèse of Lisieux, letter 205, to Sister Marie of St. Joseph, December 1896)
