Markings, Part 10

The first post about Markings

46. In many matters, profound seriousness can only be expressed in words which are lighthearted, amusing, and detached; such a conversation as you may expect to hear from someone who, while deeply concerned for all things human, has nothing he is trying to gain or defend. (121)

47. Before Thee, Father
In righteousness and humility,
With Thee, Brother,
In faith and courage,
In Thee, Spirit,
In stillness. (123)

48. When the morning's freshness has been replaced by the weariness of midday, when the leg muscles quiver under the strain, the climb seems endless, and, suddenly, nothing will go quite as you wish -- it is then that you must not stop. (124)

49. Forgiveness is the answer to the child's dream of a miracle by which what is broken is made whole again, what is soiled is again made clean. The dream explains why we need to be forgiven, and why we must forgive. In the presence of God, nothing stands between Him and us -- we are forgiven. But we cannot feel His presence if anything is allowed to stand between ourselves and others. (124)

50. With the love of Him who knows all,
With the patience of Him Whose now is eternal,
With the righteousness of Him who has never failed,
With the humility of Him who has suffered all the possibilities of betrayal. (135)