St Teresa of Avila’s “bookmark” is like a little pep talk from a wise friend. It is short, but each line offers a gentle reminder about what really matters when life gets overwhelming.
“Let nothing disturb you”
Our world is plagued by constant notifications and endless demands. Teresa is inviting us to find that deep, calm centre within ourselves where the Lord abides, even when everything around us is chaos. Like being the eye of a hurricane – aware of the storm but not swept away by it.
“Let nothing frighten you”
Fear has a way of making everything seem bigger and scarier than it actually is. Teresa reminds us that most of our fears are about things that haven’t happened yet or things we can’t control anyway. When we’re rooted in God, those shadowy fears lose their power to paralyse us.
“All things pass away”
This might be the most liberating line of all. That embarrassing moment? It will pass. The crushing disappointment? It will pass. Even the deepest grief eventually becomes something we can carry rather than something that carries us away. Teresa lived through plenty of difficulties herself, so she knew this wasn’t empty optimism, but unfailing wisdom.
“God never changes”
While all things pass away, Teresa reminds us that God is our steady anchor, our solid rock. His love for us is not based on our performance today. His grace is not diminished by our worst fall. We can always lean on this one, unchanging truth. We can build our life on this foundation.
“Patience obtains everything”
We often want immediate results – for a project to be finished, for a problem to be solved, for a prayer to be answered right now. Teresa reminds us that patience opens doors that hurry keeps closed. The most valuable things – holiness, wisdom, lasting peace – are cultivated through patience. This patience isn’t passive waiting but an active trust that God is at work, even when the progress is hidden. It is the patience of a gardener who trusts that seeds will sprout in their time.
“Whoever has God lacks nothing”
This is the ultimate freedom. When our security, our joy and our worth are tethered to things – a good job, a certain relationship, or a perfect life – we are always at risk of losing our foundation. But when God is our single, sole source of satisfaction, then even in loss, we are complete. Teresa teaches us that our deepest longing isn’t for a better life, but for a deeper relationship with the One who is all we truly need.
“God alone suffices”
Solo Dios basta. The final, simplest truth. He is sufficient. When we feel disturbed, frightened and impatient, let us come back to this. We don’t need more answers, more control, or more stuff. We just need Him. And He is already here.
For copies of St Teresa’s Bookmark, please contact bookservice@carmelite.org.uk.