Uncloistered

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  “She gazed ahead through a long reach of future days strung together like pearls in a rosary, every one like the others, and all smooth and flawless and innocent, and her heart went up in thankfulness. Outside was the fervid summer afternoon; the air was filled with the sounds of the busy harvest of men and birds and bees; there were halloos, metallic clatterings, sweet calls, and long hummings. Louisa sat, prayerfully numbering her days, like an uncloistered nun.” A New England Nun By Mary E. Wilkins Freeman (1852–1930)

Say What They Need to Hear, Even If It Kills You

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Thanks to my darling, sweet, beautiful wife for finding this quote and posting it on her page:

"John the Baptist's message from the wilderness was not, 'Smile, God loves you.' It was 'O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come.' Jeremiah was not put into a miry pit for preaching, 'I'm OK, you're OK.' It was for crying against the adultery, idolatry and other wickedness of his nation. Noah's message from the steps of the ark was not, 'Something good is going to happen to you.' He condemned the world and was a preacher of righteousness. Jesus Christ was not crucified for saying, 'Consider the lilies, how they grow,' but for saying, 'Woe unto you scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites...children of hell ...fools and blind guides ... whited sepulchers...generation of vipers.'"

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