The Sifting of Words

The book 'A Life for a Life' was written by Dinah Maria Mulock Craik (pictured right) is not one you come across everyday. In fact, it was published in 1859. She herself considered it to be her best work. Although very old, it is now available courtesy of the British Library who have worked alongside Microsoft to digitise around 65,000 of its 19th Century books.

I came across this book earlier this evening when I was looking up one of my favourite poems. Rather, what I thought was a poem. The 'poem' turns out to be a quotation from Dinah's book.

It is a favourite reading of my friend Pauline and I. For it speaks of a relationship between friends that is safe,  honest and full of trust. It goes like this:-

"But oh! the blessing it is to have a friend to whom one can speak fearlessly on any subject; 

with whom one's deepest as well as one's most foolish thoughts come out simply and safely.

Oh, the comfort - the inexpressible comfort of feeling safe with a person -

having neither to weigh thoughts nor measure words, 

but pouring them all right out, 

just as they are, chaff and grain together; 

certain that a faithful hand will take and sift them, 

keep what is worth keeping, 

and then with the breath of kindness blow the rest away."

What a blessing indeed and surely one of God's greatest gifts.