Prayer and love are learned in the hour when prayer becomes impossible and the heart has turned to stone.
Thomas Merton
This one is incredible! It speaks to the reality of life, of lives lived. It speaks of the silence of God, our humanity, our trials, our conflicts, our relationships.
Real people suffer, real people fall, real people cry, real people’s hearts sometimes turn to stone, and real people sometimes find prayer impossible. And the result of all of this? With humility and perseverance…..prayer and love are learned! Thank you Thomas Merton!
Reflections on the Journey 
Those very real situations are the times we really learn – desperately learn – how to pray. And we quickly learn that love is so much more than a feeling.
I really like this post and Glenda’s comment is what I was thinking. Funny you would give a Thomas Merton quote… I’m reading a book called “My Life with the Saints” and I am just up to the Thomas Merton chapter. 🙂 🙂
That’s such a powerful quote, with a clever reflection.
Doris
Faith alone must carry us then. Powerful quote! Thank you.
I love your reflection on this, Andie. Perhaps we do learn best with the situation seems impossible…thinking on that. Thank you!