Folk at work look at my long hair and assume things, so I often find myself joking with them about a hidden greenhouse back in the woods. Good luck trying to find what doesn't exist.
Some folk would say the same for eternal life, and even those who believe it is possible may have only rare moments of really believing all the way down through their gut to their toes.
Over the years I have heard many a book review on NPR, and now I can say that I have read one of those books. It was several weeks ago when I heard a review of The Secret Garden by Francis Hodgson Burnett. One day while my science students were in the school library, I thought of it.
It proved to be an enjoyable read. This quote which starts the 21st chapter caught my attention and I have wanted to blog about it ever since. Hope you enjoy it. Hope it makes you think of times when you were so in awe, you could...
" One of the strange things about living in the world is that it is only now and then one is quite sure one is going to live forever and ever and ever. One knows it sometimes when one gets up at the tender solemn dawn-time and goes out and stands alone and throws one's head far back and looks up and up and watches the pale sky slowly changing and flushing and marvelous unknown things happening until the East almost makes one cry out and one's heart stands still at the strange unchanging majesty of the rising of the sun--which has been happening every morning for thousands and thousands and thousands of years. One knows it then for a moment or so. And one knows it sometimes when one stands by oneself in a wood at sunset and the mysterious deep gold stillness slanting through and under the branches seems to be saying slowly again and again something one cannot quite hear, however much one tries. Then sometimes the immense quiet of the dark blue at night with millions of stars waiting and watching makes one sure; and sometimes a sound of far-off music makes it true; and sometimes a look in some one's eyes....... "
READ OR LISTEN TO THE REVIEW by Sloane Crosley
We own at least a couple of versions of the movie, but I've never read the book. Going from the latter to the former has always been a bit of a let-down. Not sure how the reverse event would come off. The quote you provide, though, surely speaks to anyone who has ever found such a time and place, the ultimate being when something within, that "deep calling unto deep" of which David speaks, actually connects with the One who hold all that eternity in he palm of His hand......
ReplyDeleteand. . .(continued from last post) how wonderful that you found your way to The Secret Garden! - a story of resurrection. (I have half a sermon written about it somewhere.) I'm glad the dawn has called to you in your retreat.
ReplyDeleteJim-- read the book when you have a chance.. maybe I'll see the movie, but like you said about let-downs...
ReplyDeleteGG... hmmmm, I finished the book a few weeks ago and have wanted to blog about it, maybe it was meant for the day I entered week four of the exercises. nice how some things look so planned out on paper, but it goes deeper.