57. Все дела и попечения в обители исполняются по повелению Господа и за послушание к Нему. Через неприятности мы познаем, что мы нетерпеливы, а значит, самолюбивы

Your Reverence, most honorable Mother Abbess Lyudmila in the Lord! Two letters from you, one by mail, and the other received by chance. You lament that you live in bustle and worry about various buildings and reconstructions. – This fuss for obedience is going on. Someone needs to take care of the monastery. During apparently vain affairs in the monastery, try, mother, to remember that you are doing these things at the command of the Lord God, for obedience to Him; and the thought of God should cheer you up, according to the words of the prophet: “I remembered God and rejoiced.” Grieve also that you received trouble from M. Vyacheslava. Firstly, I must tell you that unpleasant incidents in this life cannot be avoided. And secondly, those experienced in spiritual life say that such cases can even benefit the soul. Namely: through unpleasant incidents we learn that we are impatient, and if we are impatient, it means we are proud. And this knowledge should dispose us to self-reproach and repentance, and prayerfully ask the Lord for mercy. Without unpleasant incidents, a person is always prone to conceit. Therefore, do not be embarrassed, mother, by such cases. Regarding the sale of your estate, see for yourself. If you find it necessary, then with the blessing of the Lord you can sell it. I received the carpet from you and thank you for it. I am working with your sisters. If you find it convenient to go to St. Seraphim, God bless you. Asking for you and your monastery peace and God's blessing, I remain with sincere goodwill. You might be interested in: