I sometimes wish that life were simpler...but in my saner moments, I'm incredibly grateful for the fact that it's not, because honestly, how does one learn to surf in an ocean without waves?

Ran across this quote by C.S. Lewis in a book that I was reading this morning, and it challenged me--challenged me because sometimes, in moments of selfishness, I feel like the easy way out is to withdraw, to love people less, to be more guarded, to care on the surface level instead of seeing the hurt under the surface...when in fact, that's a coward's response that refuses to confront the real issues.

"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. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements; lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. But in that casket- safe, dark, motionless, airless--it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable." --C.S. Lewis