Deep...

I just finished Bonds That Make Us Free; and while I’m not sure I’ve fully internalized it, I wanted to write about it.
The first few chapters (the negative chapters) weren’t quite as engaging and were basically saying the same thing; but I think that was necessary to appreciate the later chapters. His ideas seemed so simple and yet so deep. I could almost feel my heart softening as I read some of his suggestions. Of course, once I left my little vacuum of reading alone in my room, things weren’t quite as easy to apply, but I’m excited to start trying.
Some of the gems I need to spend more time thinking about:

We have but little conception of how worthwhile we are because we are working so hard to prove how worthwhile we are. (p. 75)

Seeing other people as the problem is the problem. (p. 94)

When we have hardened and withdrawn ourselves, as we all do at times, we desperately need to encounter other beings on a fairly regular basis whose regard for us or for others softens us again. (p. 152)

We do well for a time. We slip. We have a truly dark day. We recognize how we’ve recently returned to our old, regrettable ways. We face up to a weakness. We resolve that this isn’t how we want to live. We ponder what we must change and, if prayer is part of our lives, we seek for help. (p. 262)

It is the present story of the past that works destruction in the individual life. (p. 289)

In speaking about a man who served his selfish wife: “…he didn’t consider serving Robin a deflection from his life’s purpose because she was its purpose. (p. 306)

“Love is the expression of the one who loves, not of the one who is loved.” –Keirkegaard (p. 307)

Unless we change in our hearts toward the people we struggle with here and now, we are condemned to struggle with whomever we may find ourselves associating with. (p. 307)




Hopefully this isn’t too personal for a public blog, but some of his examples made me think of Camille and her sisters. I’m always amazed at the faith and love you exhibit towards your father and husbands; despite everything that happened. If it’s not to personal, Camille, I’d love to know what helped you “forgive”.