Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Happy Birthday, Jack!

Today is C.S. Lewis' (or Jack, as he was called by his friends) birthday.

One of my favourite quotes from him is about reading and how it can take you to so many places and experiences without you ever needing to go outside. I found the quote in high school and wrote it down and kept it for years. I cannot for the life of me find that paper. When I do, I promise you will see it!

I read The Four Loves, a fabulous book and favourite of mine, while I was still in high school. I read it again after because there was so much good stuff in it. One of the things Jack says that stuck out to me is this:
“To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything and your heart will be wrung and possibly broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact you must give it to no one, not even an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements. Lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. But in that casket, safe, dark, motionless, airless, it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable. To love is to be vulnerable.”

I love that he never says that love is a waste of time. I love that he acknowledges that love is a risk. I love that he makes not taking a risk sound worse than being vulnerable and loving.

Do you have a favourite C. S. Lewis quote? Book? I would love to hear what you love best about Jack & why!

1 comment:

sharon said...

That quote about love is something to seriously ponder. It is oh so true