Little Pieces of Light: Darkness and Personal Growth (Revised and Expanded)

by Joyce Rupp

Jesus

urged his followers to be willing to let go, or to die to self, in order to be more fully alive.

changing happens in those dark times of the unknown when we have little to which we can cling and a lot to surrender.

try to have a balance—to enter freely into the waiting room of darkness and yet not gorge ourselves on the pain and discomfort.

author Ann Keiffer

Recognition of our less-than-perfect selves brings us greater clarity regarding our humble dependence on the grace of the Holy One to transform us.

feel called to let go of something and to accept being out of control

There are parts of me that need to be surrendered.

Sometimes this growth demands relinquishment of what I hold most closely to my heart.

Vietnamese Buddhist teacher, Thich Nhat Hanh,

God said, “Let there be light.” I like to imagine that light replied, saying, “God, I have to wait for my twin brother, darkness, to be with me. I can’t be there without the darkness.” God asked, “Why do you need to wait? Darkness is there.” Light answered, “In that case, I am also already there.”

(the unwanted companion I shun and avoid) because this pushy intruder comes with truth and reveals my hidden treasures.