Mozambique: To love and be loved is the greatest joy in life….
Mozambique 2006 - Ashley & Brooke August 31st, 2006 by Ashley PenningtonI think this is very true… and I saw it in the faces of many little kids today. At one of the orphanages that we’ve been working at, it brings me great joy to see recognition in the faces of the little kids when we walk through the gates again, another day that we’ve come. You see their faces light up as they start to know they’re loved… deeply.
I read a quote by CS Lewis in The Four Loves that describes quite nicely the way I feel about this issue:
“To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything, and your heart will certainly be wrung and possibly broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact, you must give your heart to no one, not even to an animal (I assume he means like a pet… or maybe for me a hippo). Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements; lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your own selfishness. But in that casket- safe, dark, motionless, airless- it will change. it will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable… The only place outside heaven where you can be perfectly safe from all the dangers… of love is hell.”
I think that by choosing to love them and show them our love… we show them the Lord and choose to share Him with them. Because God is Love… (1 John 4:7-9)
September 1st, 2006 at 8:01 pm
You’ve probably already heard from someone that we made it home safe and sound. But just in case you haven’t heard: We made it home safe and sound. : )
I’m still exhausted but glad to be home. For some reason, being home is a lot easier this time than it was when I came home from Guatemala. Ash– your post about being “safe from love” has made me wonder if I’m just fooling myself right now and this experience is going to hit me like a ton of bricks in the next few weeks. I guess time will tell. But for now, I feel grateful that I can drink tap water and read the street signs.
Can’t wait to see you both again. Please say hi to Jim, Corrine and Rachel.
September 9th, 2006 at 1:16 pm
Ashley, that CS Lewis quote was beautiful and touching. I am eager to get my hands on that book. There’s just not enough time in the day, the week, the month… to explore all there is to know. Or, to share in the lives of all the wonderful people there are to meet and loved ones to share our lives with. I am rejoicing in the time I was able to be with you and Brooke, Rachel, Jim and Corinne. Love you all~ Steph