Tuesday, November 13, 2007

Jesus and Emily Dickenson

Tell all the Truth but tell it slant--
Success in Circuit lies
Too bright for our infirm Delight
The Truth's superb surprise


As Lightning to the Children eased
With explanation kind
The Truth must dazzle gradually
Or every man be blind--
Emily Dickinson


"That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake.
Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat
and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore.
Then he told them many things in parables..."
The Bible, Matthew 13:1-3


When I was younger, parables annoyed me. They seemed roundabout,
circumspect...inefficient.
I wanted straight up, unadulterated, tell-it-like-it-is truth.


Parables still irritate me sometimes.



But I'm also old enough to know that oftentimes,


I need the truth, but I need it slant.


(Thank God that He knows us better than we know ourselves.)



4 comments:

Lorraine said...

Quite the theologian, that Emily.

Laurie said...

Now here you are getting all deep and the first thing that pops in my head is to remember this when your friend asks you if her jeans make her butt look big. Definitely time to slant the truth. ;)

Anonymous said...

hi Dana,

my Mom sent me the link to your blog thinking I would enjoy it, and I really do. Beautiful thoughts... and I'm always up for a good Emily Dickenson quote. :)

Blessings to you and your family.
-Julie Osterink

Anonymous said...

Well I am not sure I understand everything Emily Dickenson writes I am afraid I am more of an Angie Dikenson type person. Remember Police Women?