"‘Well,’ said John, ‘I suppose you have found me out. Perhaps I did not fully mean to keep them—not all—or not all the time. And yet, in a way, I think I did. It is like a thorn in your finger, sir. You know when you set about taking it out yourself—you mean to get it out—you know it will hurt—and it does hurt—but somehow it is not very serious business—well, I suppose, because you feel that you always could stop if it was very bad. Not that you intend to stop. but it is a very different thing to hold your hand out to a surgeon to be hurt as much as he thinks fit. And at his speed.’ The Man laughed, ‘I see you understand me very well,’ He said, ‘but the great thing is to get the thorn out.’” -- C.S. Lewis, The Pilgrim's Regress
Get the thorn out.
God, whatever it takes, get the thorn out. Whatever the pain it causes, whatever the cost it requires, however long it takes... get the thorn out. Do whatever You must do to get it out. Make it hurt as much as you see fit, but no more. May it take as long as You determine, but not a moment longer. May it be as thorough and comprehensive as You require, but not any more so. Whatever You determine, however, and whatever You do, however You do it, whenever You do it, whatever You do... get the thorn out!
Amen.
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