Oh, how happy we should be if our hearts were stripped bare of all that is not God and how we should love this poverty and despoliation! To be in darkness, no flavour in our lives, no good sentiments; deprived of all spiritual enlightenment, all help, all satisfaction, no friend to whom we can turn; how desirable is this state! … When the soul finds herself come to this pass, what is left to her but to do as the little unfledged bird that hides itself and cuddles under the wings of good mother Providence, not venturing to come out of cover for fear of being captured by the kite? Such is the refuge where you now find shelter.
Saint Jane Frances de Chantal