"If I find in myself
a desire which no
experience in this
world can satisfy,
the most probable
explanation is that
I was made for an-
other world"
CS Lewis
I am pretty sure I am not going to be able to drag anyone into this conversation but I still find this quotation fascinating. In the context of motherhood we often find ourselves as need-meeters. Then we are often told not to neglect ourselves as if we were able to actually fulfill ourselves. This quote reminds me that there are boatloads of needs that I cannot meet in others and that I cannot fulfill for myself. Life can either be a futile attempt at personal satisfaction or something altogether different.
What about the conundrum of frantically trying to please those around us unsuccessfully because their needs aren't within our sphere of sovereignty?
For many mothers, I see this leading to frustration and bitterness. We tend to be able to forget our own needs but not let others forget that we are trying to meet theirs.
Obviously, I have stayed from the original purpose of the quote. If you do care to converse don't feel that you can't stray from my thoughts.
"If I find in myself
a desire which no
experience in this
world can satisfy,
the most probable
explanation is that
I was made for an-
other world"
CS Lewis
Thursday, July 16, 2009
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12 comments:
"What about the conundrum of frantically trying to please those around us unsuccessfully because their needs aren't within our sphere of sovereignty?"
Wow. That's an eye-opener. Yes, I've been struggling with frustration and bitterness in a particular area and not knowing why or what to do about it.
Cindy-
That Lewis quote reminds me of a song that was once recorded by the group Glad, called "That's what the lonely is for":
The depth of your dreams,
the height of your wishes
The length of your vision
to see,
the hope of your heart
Is much bigger than this
For it's made out of what might be
Now picture your hope, your heart's desire -
As a castle that you must keep
In all of its splendor, it's drafty with lonely
This heart is too hard to heat
Chorus:
When I get lonely ah, that's only a sign
Some room is empty, and that room is there by design
If I feel hollow - that's just my proof that there's more
For me to follow - that's what the lonely is for
Is it a curse or a blessing this palace of promise
When the empty chill makes you weep
With only the thin fire of romance to warm you
These halls are too tall and deep
Chorus
But, you can seal up the pain, build walls in the hallways
Close off a small room to live in
But those walls will remain, and keep you there always
And you'll never know why you were given... why you were given the lonely
Some room is empty
If I feel hollow that's just my proof that there's more
For me to follow - that's what the lonely is for
From the deep of your dreams, the height of your wishes
The length of your vision to see, the hope of your heart
Is much bigger than this
For it's made out of what might be
pondering....
back later with some (hopefully)cogent remarks
Hmm... I saw something completely different in the quote, but maybe that is because I haven't read Lewis much or because I am just not as deep a thinker as you all. (Said sincerely)
I guess I tend to think that if I have a desire no experience here would satisfy, that it would be a matter of where my true desires lie and possibly a heart issue of discontent or needing to pray that God Himself would adjust my desires to reflect that which He desires for me in this life. Hope that makes sense...
I find this quote very hopeful! It gives me a great feeling of peace and rest...I can rest in knowing that there are things I'll desire that cannot be satisfied in this world, but will be satisfied in Heaven.
There are times I feel an intense longing to know more, feel more, do more, be more . . . and it gives me a touch of despair, or perhaps despondence. But if those feelings or needs are not met in this world, it is because they cannot be (rather than it being my inadequacies). I can rest in that knowing that.
subscribing to this comment . . .
Kerry,
I absolutely agree that in the sense Lewis meant it, it is absolutely comforting!!
I have never looked at the quote that way. But I think your point is still a good one.
On another note, it is important to read the books recommended by Circe before going? I am registering for the writing portion on Wednesday, too.
That quote led me to remember this one by Elisabeth Elliot:
"Heaven is not here, it's There. If we were given all we wanted here, our hearts would settle for this world rather than the next. God is forever luring us up and away from this one, wooing us to Himself and His still invisible Kingdom, where we will certainly find what we so keenly long for."
While that quote takes one view, I do see what Cindy is saying. I find myself with a large family trying to meet each one's needs, many of which it is impossible for me to meet -- nor is it within my abilities to do so! Do we, as mothers, train our children to live lives constantly making a "futile attempt at personal satisfaction" by always trying to meet their every need?
Linda
Dear Cindy,
As the saying goes, you've "stopped preachin' and gone to meddlin'".
I was at a Bible study last night where we watched some video by Paul Tripp about marriage. He talked about these very issues.
I definitely have some repenting to do.
Lewis's quote reminds me of Augustine, "Our hearts are restless till they rest in Thee."
I am fascinated by your application -- I do think mothers can reflexively become need-meeters, as you say.
Once, driving my sick Aidan to the hospital, my husband and I were listening to a radio show where a dad shared that he had originally thought his job in life was to protect his children and meet all their needs. Though it's important to be a real dad, he came to realize that thinking he had that kind of power was prideful and unrealistic.
Hopefully I'm explaining it so it's clear I'm not talking about neglect or passivity, but realizing that Moms and Dads don't control the universe and that they are to shepherd their children not redesign the world for them.
You made me think : ) -- something to ponder on a Saturday!
In regards to parenting, the problem is frequently that we *can* give the child his wishes, but we shouldn't. I think I am constantly aware of this because I have one child. I try to give more affection and less stuff.
But I know that the quote means something more, something deeper, than not spoiling a child materially. For one thing, it means I need to encourage this child develop her own relationship with God, a place where God can say to me, "What's that to you?"
Also, to me personally, it often means that I can't move where the grass is greener. I do often see that grass described in Lewis's books, however. And it's a big reason I read them.
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