Letter XXXIV. To a Superior of the Visitation, his Niece

We must serve God at his pleasure, not our own.

12th Oct., 16 1 5. What is the heart of my dearest child doing, which mine loves in truth very perfectly? I feel sure that it is always closely united to that of our Lord, and that it often says to him: The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear • The Lord is the protector of my life, of whom shall I be afraid* My dearest child, throw your solicitude upon the divine shoulders of the Lord, and he will bear us and sustain us.f If he calls you (and he does) to a sort of service which is according to his pleasure, though not to your taste, you must have not less courage but more, than if your taste agreed with his pleasure; for when there is less of our own in anything it goes so much the better.

You must not, my dear niece, my daughter, allow your spirit to look at itself, or to reflect upon its own strength or its own inclinations: you must fix your eyes on the good pleasure of God and on his Providence.

We must not discuss (discourir) when we ought to run [courir); nor devise (deviser) difficulties, when we should spin them off (divider).

Gird your loins with strength, and fill your heart with courage, and then say: / will advance; not I but the grace of God in me.% The grace of God, then, be ever with your spirit^ Amen.

• Ps. xxvi. 1, 2. f Ps. liv. 23.

X 1 Cor. xv, 10. § Gal. vl 18.

35 o 6V. Francis de Sales.