When my husband and I were dating, I proposed (perhaps impetuously) that we name our future daughter Avila. I so admire Saint Teresa! She has long been such a model to me of graciousness, humor & humility.
God is good. He did indeed bless us with a little Avila! She is a treasure to my heart, just like her namesake. And, like her namesake, she is strong-willed & fun-filled and a talker!
Here is an excerpt from one of Saint Teresa’s poems entitled In the Hands of God:
Good Lord, what do you want of me?
What is this wretch to do?
What work is this,
This sinful slave to do?
Look at me, Sweet Love,
Sweet Love, look at me,
What do you want of me?If you want me to rest
I desire it for Love.
If to labor,
I will die working.
Sweet love, say
Where, how, when.
What do you want of me?Silent or speaking,
Fruit-bearing or barren.
My wounds shown by the Law,
Rejoicing in the tender Gospel.
Sorrowing or exulting,
You alone live in me:
What do you want of me?
Saint Teresa may have been a nun but how she understands our women’s hearts! Did you know that she was prone to too much busy-ness and too much talking? Eventually she learned (after much trying) how to keep her good God at the center of all her endeavors.
May we, too, have such a heavenly perspective. St. Teresa of Avila, pray for us!
Oh, how I love St. Teresa, too! Especially her prayer:
Let nothing trouble you
Let nothing frighten you
Everything passes
God never changes
Patience obtains all
Whoever has God wants for nothing
God alone is enough
Give your little Avila a hug from the Ed clan.
Oh, I once thought to use the name Avila for a daughter myself. But with five boys, I haven’t had the chance. Happy feast day to your little one!
Excellent name! I once thought about Siena for girl after St. Catherine but dh just stared at me. š
I have really been enjoying your blog. I found my way to you through Karen E. and Alice…two very wonderful ladies. š
Happy Sunday!!!
Rest assured, Karen,I gave her lots of hugs from the Ed. clan!
Suzanne: you are still welcome to use the name Avila! I’ll warn you, though–she’ll get lots of nurses & receptionists calling her “Olivia.”
mb: I thought about Sienna, too! Except given our last name we figured they’d call her “Burnt Sienna” (like the crayon). So…no.