Knowing we are understood - those moments when we are least alone.

Elizabeth Goudge is an author whose kind of writing would now be dismissed as old fashioned. Most of her novels were written in the middle of the 20th century and she was classified as a writer of novels for women. Just goes to show - such categories are useless at best and mischievous at worst. I've read a lot of her novels, and remember a conversation with an English teacher who knew her novels, who said The Dean's Watch was the most complete and satisfying novel she had ever read. On her recommendation I read it - and twice again since. I have a lovely first edition hardback with a quaint dustcover that is unmistakably mid twentieth century.

I was thinking about her the other day, and now today came across an epigraph at the start of a chapter in The Disciplined Heart. Love, Destiny and Imagination by Caroline Simon. This is a very fine book, the kind of writing I revel in.  A philosophical discussion of key human experience, opening into theological reflection, and laying tribute on literature and bible. At the centre is the meaning of human love in all its diverse and rich expressions, including friendship - an area of human experience coming to the fore in theological consideration today.

And here is the epigraph - taken from Goudge's novel, The Scent of Water:

If you understand people you're of use to them whether you can do anything for them or not. Understanding is a creative act in a dimension we do not see."

There is an entire week's teaching of pastoral theology waiting to be extracted from that. Unfazed empathy, imaginative listening, accessible wisdom, thoughtful compassion, accompanied waiting, patient faithfulness, persistent presence. There are few more therapeutic moments in our lives than when we feel and know ourselves understood. One other person stands alongside us, exactly where we stand, and knows, with that intuitive gift that is kindness and friendship, just knows, how it feels at this precise moment and in this exact place. And we know they know.

Comments

[Perpetua]

What a lovely post and thank you for the appreciative mention of one of my favourite authors. I have all of Elizabeth Goudge's adult novels and The Dean's Watch is my favourite among them. I first read them in my teens and stil read them in my 60s, which I think says alot about the depth and quality of her writing.

[Poetreehugger.blogspot.com]

I was so excited just now when I read the name of Elizabeth Goudge in your posting. She is also one of my favorite authors, and her book The Scent of Water is the first book I ordered from ebay years ago, because I just had to own it so I could reread it often. There is a scene in the book where the young depressed girl meets a socially awkward priest who leaves her with words that comfort her for the rest of her life.
I have read The Dean's Watch years ago, and will need to find it to reread.
I thank you for the introductions to authors I have enjoyed very much. Patience With God by Tomas Halik comes to mind, among others.

[Jim Gordon]

Thanks for the comments Poetreehugger and Perpetua. I was pleased and surprised Goudge was quoted in an academic treatment of love and human identity! She would have been pleased too!!

[ruthg]

Grew up reading Elizabeth Goudge, and love, love, love her wisdom and insight. Taught me more than I realised, I think. I go back to her often. How grand to find others who do too