Quotations for a Monday

Here's what I'm pondering today:

"Had you restrained your love, you would be free of sorrow. The greater the love, while one possesses it, the greater the sorrow when one is deprived of it." Von Tepl

"Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn." Romans 12:15

"Many waters cannot quench love, Nor will rivers overflow it..." Song of Solomon 8:7

"This is what mortals misunderstand. They say of some temporal suffering, 'No future bliss can make up for it,' not knowing that Heaven, once attained, will work backwards and turn even the agony into a glory." C.S. Lewis, The Great Divorce

"Hope claims the possibilities of the future, hopelessness recognizes its limits. In the mature person there are feelings of both, but they are kept distinct and separate. There's nothing wrong with hopeless feelings as long as they only limit, but do not contaminate the hope." William Lynch

"And I was having to bear the unbearable. If I must bear it, I would bear it-- find the whole meaning of it, taste the whole of it...I would not run away from grief; I would not try to hold on to it when-- if, unbelievably-- it passed." Sheldon Vanauken, A Severe Mercy

Much love to you today...

A Few Quotations for Today

"I do not believe that sheer suffering teaches. If suffering alone taught, all the world would be wise, since everyone suffers. To suffering must be added mourning, understanding, patience, love, openness and willingness to remain vulnerable."

-- Anne Morrow Lindbergh

"We must kick the darkness 'til it bleeds daylight."
-- Bruce Cochburn, from the song, "Lovers in a Dangerous Time"

"Grief fills the room up of my absent chld,
Lies in his bed, walks up and down with me,
Puts on his pretty looks, repeats his words,
Remembers me of all his gracious parts,
Stuffs on his vacant garments with his form:
Then have a reason to be fond of grief."
-- William Shakespeare, King John

"The Lord is close to the brokenhearted
and saves those who are crushed in spirit"
--Psalm 34:18