284. Послушнице Параскеве. 1906–1910. Не смущайся, что, живя в монастыре, не имеешь никакой добродетели. Каждое дело начинай и заканчивай с молитвою и крестным знамением. Хорошо открывать свои помыслы старице

Sister in the Lord Paraskeva! You write that you have been living in a monastery for three years and have no virtue. Well then? But we’ve been living here for forty years, and even then we haven’t acquired any virtue. But you shouldn’t be embarrassed by this. And instead of embarrassment, I should reproach myself more before God something like this: “Lord! What a great sinner I am! I live and only anger You, the Gracious Master, with my sins. Save me, the accursed one, according to fate.” And also, as best you can, condemn yourself and ask the Lord for help. Begin and finish every task with prayer and the sign of the cross. First ask for help, and then thank the Lord for helping you complete the task. Yes, it would be good for you to reveal your thoughts to some old woman, even, for example, Mother Treasurer Magdalene, and every time earnestly ask her to St. prayers. In general, repent, humble yourself and don’t be embarrassed. The Lord came to earth not to save the righteous, but to call sinners to repentance. The Lord bless and keep you! You might be interested in: