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THE POWER OF PROMISING

"Promising is an extraordinary phenomenon," observes Dr David Ford in his book 'The Shape of Living'. "A promise is utterly fragile, so easy to break; yet it can also generate bonds that last a lifetime, and endure ups and downs, terrible sufferings, even betrayal, torture or the threat of death."

"A relationship or group of any depth will, if it wants to last through the sufferings, joys, boredoms and distractions of life, draw on the language and practices of promise-keeping (even if the promises that bind them are never spoken): trust, loyalty, faithfulness, hope, patience, endurance, remembering."

"Promising is one of the main ways in which a shape of life is maintained through good and bad overwhelmings. It is the translation of desiring into faithfulness.” 

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