Teresa of Avila writes: “ This Beloved of ours is merciful and good. Besides, he so deeply longs for our love that he keeps calling us to come closer. This voice of his is so sweet that the poor soul falls apart in the face of her own inability to instantly do whatever he asks of her.”

“God whispers: “I made you, dear, and all I make is perfect. Please come close, for I desire you.”

- Teresa of Avila, Spanish mystic and Carmelite nun of the 1500s