autumn days have a holiness that spring lacks ... They are like old serene saints for whom death has lost its terror.
Elizabeth GoudgeI doubt if we nuns are really as self-sacrificing as we must seem to be to you who live in the world. We don't give everything for nothing, you know. The mystery plays fair.
Elizabeth GoudgeShe long ago accepted the fact that happiness is like, swallows in spring. It may come and nest under your eaves or it may not. You cannot command it.
Elizabeth GoudgeHe grinned at her, and she grinned at him, and it seemed to Maria that suddenly the sun came out.
Elizabeth GoudgeThe lovers of life, they are children at heart always in their wonder and delight, but they do not grab.
Elizabeth GoudgeThere always comes, I think, a sort of peak in suffering at which either you win over your pain or your pain wins over you, according as to whether you can, or cannot, call up that extra ounce of endurance that helps you to break through the circle of yourself and do the hitherto impossible. That extra ounce carries you through 'le dernier quart d' heure.' Psychologist have a name for it, I believe. Christians call it the Grace of God.
Elizabeth Goudge