Quote of the Day: EB White (plus a somewhat meandering sidebar)

We should all do what, in the long run, gives us joy, even if it is only picking grapes or sorting the laundry.
~EB White in Letters of EB White

I was thinking about this quote this morning while at work, and about the difference between plain old happiness and true joy.

Happiness, according to Noah Webster's 1828 dictionary is "The agreeable sensations which spring from the enjoyment of good; that state of a being in which his desires are gratified, by the enjoyment of pleasure without pain...Perfect happiness, or pleasure unalloyed with pain, is not attainable in this life."

In other words, happiness is temporal, and can be induced by, as EB White says, picking grapes, sorting the laundry, or other pleasures which bring us that immediate satisfaction. But that is fleeting.

Joy, true joy, comes only from that lasting peace. I like this part of the Webster definition of joy. He says it is the " passion or emotion excited by the acquisition or expectation of good... or by a rational prospect of possessing what we love or desire..."

As Christians, that which we love and desire ought to be our Savior. And, as Christians, that is what will bring us true joy...that hopeful looking forward to eternity with Him. All else is the temporary stuff that yes, brings us happiness, but our joy is in Him alone.

Now, about finding joy in the laundry...

Book Review: On Wings of the Morning

On Wings of the Morning by Marie Bostwick, is one of those rare accidental pick-ups at the library that really paid off. An enjoyable and easy read, I was pleasantly surprised to find faith, hope, and love, all set in the backdrop of WWII.

Morgan and Georgia are both illegitimate children, and they share a love of flying, but their backgrounds really couldn't be much different. Most of the war (and therefore the book) is spent apart, like many of the men and women who served either abroad or at home during that time. You really pay attention to each individual, not just the couple. It's not a traditional "romance".

Here is what I appreciated about the book: honest feelings, no tawdry sex, and the deep sense of responsiblilty to family and country.

This is Why the Band Kept Playing While the Titanic Was Sinking

Life is a shipwreck but we must not forget to sing in the lifeboats.
~Voltaire

As far as the whole relationship issue goes, there is absolutely nothing positive to report. In fact, it's just the opposite. But I saw this quote the other day, and I thought that it sums up pretty much how I feel. Just trying to keep singing, regardless of the circumstances.