You can speak with Julián de Avila about anything, for he is very good.1 He tells me he gets along well with you, and that makes me happy. Go to see him from time to time, and when you want to do some favor for him, give him an alms, for he is very poor and detached from riches, in my opinion. He is one of the better priests there, and it is good to have conversations like this, for everything doesn’t have to be prayer.
As for sleep, I tell you and command you that it not be less than six hours. Consider how necessary it is for us who are older to take care of these bodies so that they do not tear down the spirit, which is a terrible trial. You wouldn’t believe the displeasure I feel these days, for I don’t dare pray or read, although, as I say, I am now feeling better. But I have learned my lesson, I’m telling you. So, do what you are told; this is how you will fulfill your duties to God. How foolish it is to think that this is like the prayer that did not allow me to sleep! There is no likeness between them, for I tried much harder to sleep than to stay awake.
Certainly I fervently praise the Lord for the favors he grants you and for the effects that follow. You can see how great they are by the virtues you are given, which you would not have been able to acquire even after much effort. You should know that the weakness of the head doesn’t depend on eating or drinking; do what I tell you. The Lord is doing me a great favor by giving you such good health. May it please His Majesty to give you many years to spend in his service.
. . . It seems to me to be the sign of great charity to desire to take trials for yourself and to give delight to others, and it is a great favor from God that you can even think about doing this. But, on the other hand, it is great foolishness and a lack of humility to imagine that you could possess the virtues Francisco de Salcedo has, or those that God has given you, without prayer. Believe me and let the Lord of the vineyard work, for He knows what each one needs. I have never asked Him for interior trials, although He has given me many and truly heavy ones in this life. One’s natural constitution and humors have a large part to play in these afflictions. I am glad you are getting to understand the temperament of that saint,2 for I would like you to be tolerant of his disposition.
. . . Today Doctor Velázquez3 was here, who is my confessor. I spoke to him about what you tell me regarding the silver and the tapestries you want to give up, for I didn’t want you to fail to advance in the service of God because of my not helping you. There are cases in which I do not trust my opinion, although in this matter his opinion was the same as mine. He says that these things don’t have significance as long as you strive to see how little they matter and are detached from them, and that it is reasonable to have a home appropriately furnished since you have sons whom you will have to marry off. So for now be patient, for God usually always provides the occasion for carrying out good desires and He will do so for you. May God keep you and make you very holy, amen.
It is 10 February.
Your honor’s servant,
Teresa of Jesus
— To Don Lorenzo de Cepeda, Avila