As a testament to my embrace of frugality Lars gave me a unique Christmas gift. It is not unusual that he gave me books but one in particular stands out. It is Flannery O'Connor's Prayer Journal which I appreciate on its own merits. However, the method of giving was unique. He checked the book out of the library which acknowledges my value of frugality but also a vote of confidence that I will reliably return it to the library, three blocks from my house, before it is due.
Appreciating O'Connor, as I do, I found the Journal a delight. It is very brief and was composed while she was resident at The Iowa Writer's Workshop January 1946 to September 1947. A few quotes will give a glimpse of the self-revelatory nature of the entries.
"But all my requests seem to melt down to one for grace---that supernatural grace that does whatever it does. My mind is in a box, dear God, down inside other boxes and on and on. There is very little air in my box. Dear God, please give me as much air as it is not presumptuous to ask for. Please let some light shine out of all things around me so that I can what it is amounts to I suppose be selfish. Is there no getting that Dear God? No escape from ourselves? Into something bigger?" pp.17-18
"1/2/47 No one can be an atheist who does not know all things. Only God is an atheist. The devil is the greatest believer and he has his reasons." p. 25
"I do not want to be lonely all of life but people only make us lonelier by reminding us of God. Dear God please help me be an artist, please let it lead to you." p. 29
O'Connor, a faithful, life long, Catholic has this interesting entry.
"Rousseau has it that the Protestant has to think; the Catholic to submit. It is presumed that ultimately the Protestant too has to submit; but the Catholic never to think, i.e., about the nature of man's relation to God. This is interesting. Catholicism being a guide book to the only means of communication is worth submitting to in the Catholic's view. All these doctrines that deny submission deny God." p. 26
Now I need to return this to the library but may check it out again for further reflection. (Thanks, Lars.)
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