Lauren

“This love disclosing itself was no cosmic Creator of a mechanistic universe, for the revelation was intimate, personal. Perhaps the assurance always has to be personal, revealed to the inner person alone, since only man sees other men en masse, whereas God insists on seeing us one by one, each a special case, each inestimably beloved for himself.”
― Catherine Marshall, Christy

“It is a strange thing how the pain of seeing the suffering of those we love will sometimes make us add to their suffering by being cross with them. This comes of not having faith enough in God and shows how necessary this faith is, for when we lose it, we lose even the kindness which alone can soothe the suffering.”
― George MacDonald, At the Back of the North Wind

“But I wasn't brave of myself," said Diamond. "It was the wind that blew in my face that made me brave. Wasn't it now, North Wind?"
"Yes; I know that. You had to be taught what courage was. And you couldn't know what it was without feeling it; therefore, it was given you. But don't you feel as if you would try to be brave yourself next time?"
"Yes, I do. But trying is not much."
"Yes, it is—a very great deal, for it is a beginning. And a beginning is the greatest thing of all. To try to be brave is to be brave. The coward who tries to be brave is before the man who is brave because he is made so and never had to try."
"How kind you are, North Wind!"
"I am only just. All kindness is but justice. We owe it."
"I don't quite understand that."
"Never mind; you will someday. There is no hurry about understanding it now.”
― George MacDonald, At the Back of the North Wind

“Almost felt you liked the Forest! That’s good! That’s uncommonly kind of you,’ said a strange voice. Turn round and let me have a look at your faces. I almost feel that I dislike you both, but do not let us be hasty. Turn around!”
― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Two Towers