Lil Bean Book Recs: March 2018

One of my lifestyle changes for 2018 was to always have a book on my nightstand and to read 30 minutes minimum daily. This month I wanted to delve more into St. Teresa of Avila, who I chose to be my patron saint at the time of my Confirmation.

15 Days of Prayer with St. Teresa of Avila

When I started reading Jean Abiven's 15 Days, I expected some excerpts from St. Teresa's published work as well as some recommendations to pray more often and with more intention. What I didn't expect was for every other chapter to hit me so hard I needed to put it down to reflect.

Abiven starts with the topic of the chapter, or day, then goes to pieces from St. Teresa's books, a deeper explanation of the importance of the topic in life and prayer, and finally with reflection questions about how your current prayer life is going. Abiven explains complex topics in simple ways: becoming humble, loving one another despite faults, finding peace within the soul, and practicing detachment. The result is a smack in the face.

At just 98 pages and approximately 6-7 pages of daily reading, it's not difficulty to fit time in to read this title and others like it. For me, seeking peace was just as difficult to swallow and take in as the chapters focusing on forgiveness and maturity. It made me question my relationship with others and how my prayer life is affected by the way I pray as much as how often I do.

Rather than focus on God cleaning my sins, I'm practicing how to ask for the graces of patience, forgiveness, serenity, and trust so that when I start leaving behind my temptations, my heart and soul will already fill its place with God's intentions before the temptation pulls me back down. I'm learning the importance of praying for all people, the ones I know and the ones I don't, in the hopes that they find their healing and growth. Most importantly, the more I pray, the more I'm pulled to good and kind acts of service rather than turning a blind eye.

There are multiple versions of 15 Days. I suggest finding someone who speaks to you in their life's actions and work and reading up on how their positive influence can encourage you to strive further for God's glory.

May God lead all of us toward Him, whether in prayer, community, or word. Bless us with strength and perseverance in all our endeavors. In Jesus' name, Amen.