when I read spiritual treatises..
my poor little mind
soon grows weary,
I close the learned book
that leaves my head splitting
and my heart parched,
and I take up
the Holy Scriptures.
Then all seems luminous.
A single word
opens up
horizons to my soul.'
St. Therese of Lisieux
Albert Anker painting, 1904
Ahhh..."a single word opens up horizons to my soul." Beautiful. Holy Word of God.
ReplyDeleteI had this exact experience last week. I was reading so much, doing so much, and my mind felt in a muddle. Then I began reading Philippians and ......... ahhhhhhhh..... everything was 'right' again.
DeleteThanks!
Beautiful . . . and a lovely picture to go with.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Deborah!
DeleteThis so rests my heart! I often guilty for not reading those great spiritual books, but when I pick up my aged and tattered Bible I am filled with peace. Thank you...
ReplyDeleteJean, thank you. It rested me too, as soon as I saw what St.Therese had written. I have a feeling God is very pleased to see aged and tattered Bibles!
DeleteDear Therese..always so helpfully honest and open about the things which did not work for her!
ReplyDeleteI feel the same about many good spiritual writings which I know are truly powerful and marvellous, but which I struggle to enjoy or take in properly. But on opening the Bible, I often find a real, tangible calm blanketing my soul as I read Holy Scripture..it's like crawling into the lap of God to be soothed in His Fatherly arms. In fact, there are lots of times when my over-active mind needs a break from studying and reading altogether, and all I can do is just sit and hug my old Bible tight and rock with the Word until peace comes again.
Trish, I sometimes do the very same thing... I hug my Bible the way my grandchildren hug their plush animals as they go off to sleep!
DeleteExactly - like His child! I'm in good company then, my friend! And I suspect we might have lots more 'Holy Word huggers' in our midst, too. xx
DeleteYes! Count me in the "Holy Word huggers" company.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Rebecca, for letting us know you're a Holy Word hugger too!
Delete