“Mama's love had always been the kind that acted itself out with soup pot and sewing basket. But now that these things were taken away, the love seemed as whole as before. She sat in her chair at the window and loved us. She loved the people she saw in the street-- and beyond: her love took in the city, the land of Holland, the world. And so I learned that love is larger than the walls which shut it in. ”
Analysis
In this quote from Corrie Ten Boom, the author reflects on the transformative power of love, particularly in the absence of physical gestures such as cooking and sewing. The quote illustrates how a mother's love transcends tangible actions and physical boundaries, encompassing not only her immediate family but also extending to strangers on the street, her city, her country, and even the entire world. Through this reflection, the author emphasizes the boundless nature of love and its ability to permeate through the walls that may try to confine it. This quote highlights the enduring strength and universality of love, showcasing its capacity to connect individuals across different contexts and distances.
Modern Relevance:
In today's fast-paced world where material possessions and external gestures often define love, the words of Corrie Ten Boom offer a timeless reminder of the true essence of love. The idea that love transcends physical objects and boundaries is perhaps more relevant now than ever before, encouraging us to see love as a force that extends far beyond the confines of our immediate surroundings. In a society that often values grand gestures and material gifts, we are reminded that true love is found in the simple act of caring for others and embracing the world with an open heart.
Example of Usage
In this passage, the author describes how her mother's love transcends physical acts of kindness such as cooking and sewing, reaching out to encompass the entire world. This serves as a powerful reminder that love knows no boundaries and can extend beyond the confines of our everyday lives.
Reflection Questions:
As we reflect upon this poignant excerpt from Corrie Ten Boom's memoir, "The Hiding Place," we are reminded of the transformative power of love that transcends physical boundaries and limitations. Consider the following questions to deepen your understanding of this concept:
How does the absence of material expressions of love, such as the soup pot and sewing basket mentioned in the passage, affect the way we perceive and experience love?
In what ways does the passage challenge our conventional notions of love as being constrained by physical objects or acts of service?
Reflect on a time when you experienced or witnessed love that surpassed the boundaries of space and time. How did this experience impact your understanding of the vast nature of love?
How can we cultivate a love that extends beyond the walls that confine us, reaching out to embrace not only those closest to us but also strangers and even the world at large?
Think about the role of empathy and compassion in expanding our capacity to love beyond our immediate surroundings. How can we actively practice these virtues in our daily lives to foster a more inclusive and expansive love for all humanity?
Similar quotes
“Brod's life was a slow realization that the world was not for her, and that for whatever reason, she would never be happy and honest at the same time. She felt as if she were brimming, always producing and hoarding more love inside her. But there was no release...So she had to satisfy herself with the idea of love--loving the loving of things whose existence she didn't care at all about. Love itself became the object of her love. She loved herself in love, she loved loving love, as love loves loving, and was able, in that way, to reconcile herself with a world that fell so short of what she would have hoped for. It was not the world that was the great and saving lie, but her willingness to make it beautiful and fair, to live a once-removed life, in a world once-removed from the one in which everyone else seemed to exist.”
“She had loved before, had been loved, had tasted what it was to dream, and had felt what it was to dance on air. She had also learned what it was to cruelly land back on the earth with a thud. Having to take care of her sister’s child had sent her love away and there had been no one since. She had learned not to lose control of her feelings again.”
“So she had to satisfy herself with the idea of love – loving the loving of things whose existence she didn’t care at all about. Love itself became the object of her love. She loved herself in love, she loved loving love, as love loves loving, and was able, in that way, to reconcile herself with a world that fell so short of what she would have hoped for. It was not the world that was the great and saving lie, but her willingness to make beautiful and fair, to live a once-removed life, in a world once-removed from the one in which everyone else seemed to exist.”
“So she had to satisfy herself with the idea of love - loving the loving of things whose existence she didn't care at all about. Love itself became the object of her love. She loved herself in love, she loved loving love, as love loves loving, and was able, in that way, to reconcile herself with a world that fell so short of what she would have hoped for. It was not the world that was the great and saving lie, but her willingness to make it beautiful and fair, to live a once-removed life, in a world once-removed from the one in which everyone else seemed to exist.”
“And so I learned that love is larger than the walls that shut it in”