The chief resource of our perfection is the personal presence of God, of which God said long ago to Abraham, "Walk in my presence, and you will be perfect."
We do not always need to follow the spirit of mortification and recollection, which tends to withdraw us from social relationships, and we do not always need to pursue our zeal to lead others to God.
God is ingenious in making us crosses. He makes them of iron and of lead, which are heavy in themselves. He makes them of straw which seems to weigh nothing, and which are less difficult to carry. He makes them of gold and of precious stones...
You should not feel troubled, it seems to me, about the diversions in which you cannot avoid taking part. Many people want to make the worst of everything, and who are upset continually, increasing their loathing of the amusements which they have to endure.
The chief resource of our perfection is the personal presence of God, of which God said long ago to Abraham, "Walk in my presence, and you will be perfect."