inspired by many of her thoughts

Thérèse celebrated suffering 
a blessing as necessary as 
God's commandments, the way to enter
heaven, freeing her from exile on earth.

Suffering broke her heart open
to love Christ more deeply.
Her life was a great becoming
of pain suffused with eternal joy.

She offered the gift of tears
for guilty France and sinners worldwide
to purge their selfish souls
and ransom them into forgiveness.

So many tortures of this life
she endured for her bridegroom,
and the sainthood she sought. 
Joyfully she became a prisoner

thrown into a furnace where
Jesus would set her aflame
for heaven. She strove to be one
with him, looking for Him everywhere

and knew the breezes that carried His words 
to her, the greatest comforts of heaven,
but also the writhing pain she endured. 

She confessed that eternity was 
not long enough to suffer bitterly. 
It became the habit she put on for Jesus
every day in this vale of tears.