In the evening of life we shall be judged on love, and not one of us is going to come off very well, and were it not for my absolute faith in the loving forgiveness of my Lord I could not call on him to come.

The quote by Madeleine L’Engle, "In the evening of life we shall be judged on love, and not one of us is going to come off very well, and were it not for my absolute faith in the loving forgiveness of my Lord I could not call on him to come," speaks to the centrality of love and forgiveness in the Christian faith. L’Engle suggests that at the end of life, the ultimate measure of our lives will be how well we loved others. Yet, she acknowledges human imperfection, admitting that none of us will be perfect in this regard.

Madeleine L’Engle, a beloved American author best known for A Wrinkle in Time, often wrote about the intersection of faith, creativity, and the human experience. This quote reflects her deep Christian belief that God’s judgment is rooted in love and that human shortcomings are redeemed through Christ’s forgiveness. L’Engle’s words show humility, recognizing that her own efforts to love fully will always fall short of divine perfection.

The phrase "absolute faith in the loving forgiveness of my Lord" captures the hope central to Christianity. L’Engle finds peace in knowing that God’s forgiveness can cover the gaps left by her imperfect love. Without this belief, she admits, she could not bear to face God, for she understands the weight of human failings in comparison to divine standards.

Ultimately, this quote is both sobering and comforting. It reminds us that while love is the ultimate calling, we will not always meet the mark perfectly. However, faith in God’s unconditional forgiveness allows us to approach Him with trust and hope, even in the “evening of life.”