Remember this resolution: Read more.
I've been keeping it. And I'm also keeping a little quote journal, writing down bits and pieces of beautiful writing that speaks. I find I wander back to these little bits in my mind, to the images they evoke, to the pondering they spark, to thoughts of beauty, and to truth couched in everyday occurrence...
Like this one:
There was a young couple strolling along half a block ahead of me. The sun had come up brilliantly after a heavy rain, and the trees were glistening and very wet. On some impulse, plain exuberance I suppose, the fellow jumped up and caught hold of a branch, and a storm of luminous water came pouring down on the two of them, and they laughed and took off running, the girl sweeping water off her hair and her dress as if she were a little bit disgusted, but she wasn't. It was a beautiful thing to see, like something from a myth. I don't know why I thought of it now, except perhaps because it is easy to believe in such moments that water was made primarily for blessing, and only secondarily for growing vegetables or doing the wash. I wish I had paid more attention to it....This is an interesting planet. It deserves all the attention you can give it. -from Gilead by Marilynne Robinson, p.28
Water made for blessing. Made by God for blessing. And not only water. Birdsong on a February morning, the outrageous colors of the coleus starts in my window, the light of the morning candle, the scent of lemon blossoms. It's all for blessing. God's gifts are all around us, abundant. I want to give attention.
5 comments:
I posted this same quote when I read Gilead...it's one of my favorite passages. Her language is beautifully descriptive and puts a vivid picture in the mind of the reader.
Yes, I love Robinson's style and had to choose between several to post. This and the one about the sprinkler were two of my favorites. May have to post more than one of her's!
Hi, Beth...I'm memorizing Philippians with you and tonia and a few others:)I wanted to come by and say hi! I am enjoying learning your heart, and I look forward to spending more time doing so.
I, too, have a quote book. I learn so much from quotes and love to return to them and linger whenever needed.
This quote is unbelievable. So much life and beauty in it.
I, too, want to give attention. It is so easy for me to get caught up in "other things" and not even be in the moment. I don't like it. I want to give attention to each moment, each breath...for each little thing is a gift. And where there is a gift, there is a Giver.
Thank you, Beth, for such a lovely, inspiring post!
Glad Kelly pointed out she'd posted this quote before. I knew I'd read it before somewhere, but couldn't place it. Brilliantly, glistening, storm, luminous, sweeping. The language is so visual and active.
That's our next book club book. Hope you've read HOME too. GREAT to see you on Weds.
Bonnie
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