being born is dangerous

Turns out “being born is dangerous.” Quoted from a movie; I paused the movie just to write it down so I wouldn’t forget. I do odd things like that sometimes. I loved it the instant I heard it. It’s what my “about” section on the blog is…well, about.

It’s out of context, the quote is. They were speaking medically…it’s dangerous for the mother, dangerous for the baby. I took it figuratively and metaphorically…and philosophically. Life is hard…harder for some than others. Life is dangerous and risky and bold and beautiful, all together, all at once. You don’t get to escape the danger by avoidance, by fear. It comes, ready, steady or not. It comes.

A few years ago, I was mad. I said it out loud, how unfair it all was…when was it my turn to have a season of easy, I asked. I was so angry at life and the God that ordained it, at the cost and consequences. I remember being bitter at my lot; as if I’d suffered more, longer, deeper. Such a fool, such an incredibly limited vision of life. I sauntered and staggered in my self-righteous despair. I still do sometimes.

I think the dangerous parts are unexpected, though. Love, to love is so incredibly dangerous. Hope, that too. Faith, risky and seemingly foolish and so difficult, yet not. But that’s just it. It’s so counter intuitive, life is. See, even ones exponentially wiser than me say so too…

“There is a sacredness in tears.  They are not the mark of weakness, but of power. They speak more eloquently than ten thousand tongues. They are messengers of overwhelming grief…and unspeakable love.” -Washington Irvine

“To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything, and your heart will certainly be wrung and possibly be broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact, you must give your heart to no one, not even to an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements; lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. But in that casket — safe, dark, motionless, airless — it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable. The alternative to tragedy, or at least to the risk of tragedy, is damnation. The only place outside of Heaven where you can be perfectly safe from all the dangers and perturbations of love is Hell.” -CS Lewis

“You do not have to sit outside in the dark. If, however, you want to look at the stars, you will find that darkness is necessary. But the stars neither require nor demand it.” -Annie Dillard

It’s comforting to me to know it’s universal, life being hard, dangerous, dark, bold, counter intuitive, beautiful. Not that I wish danger, confusion or heartache on anyone, but rather I rest in the knowledge that I have excellent company…yours. Thanks for bravely, dangerously being born.

~ by Kara Belcher on May 24, 2008.