I had a friend recently request a watercolor picture with just that small phrase “God alone suffices.” It’s the last part of a longer prayer, that I love, from Saint Teresa of Avila.
Let nothing disturb you,
Let nothing frighten you,
All things are passing away:
God never changes.
Patience obtains all things
Whoever has God lacks nothing;
God alone suffices.
I think it’s beautiful in both it’s message and it’s simplicity. I had made a larger painting of this whole quote, a while ago with watercolors and calligraphy. I scanned it and put it on a tote bag for the tutors (teachers) in our Catholic Schoolhouse Chapter. Here it is for you to print if you wish:
Download and Print the Saint Teresa of Avila Quote
And if you would prefer it as a tote bag, here’s the one I ordered for my tutors on Zazzle. It actually looks like totes are 50% off right now… cool~!
Months later at the Catholic Schoolhouse Annual Retreat, one of the other ladies mentioned how she always wanted just the last line of this prayer “God alone suffices” as something she could display. I love inspiration for new paintings and as soon as I had some free time I made this for her:
Download the God Alone Suffices Watercolor
I think this is the perfect Lenten theme for me this year. We can easily get caught up in all the ‘shoulds’ of life. I should do this, I should have that, I should be able to afford ____, or I should have done it a different way etc. We have so many expectations on ourselves and expectations of what we should have and do, that this simple last-part-of-a-prayer can be a breath of fresh air. God alone suffices. That one line can remove regret, anxiety, jealousy, hunger.. anything. As you prepare for Lent this year, I encourage you to turn to God for all that is weighing you down. Let Him be all you need. Unload your burdens on Him, grow closer to Him and invite Him into your heart this Lent.
God Bless,
Kristen
PS. As always, I’m so happy to share my paintings with you for printing and displaying in your homes, schools and offices. However, please do not download and share the file on your own blog/website etc, or sell it.
