Kicking and Screaming - C S Lewis

In the Trinity Term of 1929, I gave in, and admitted that God was God, and knelt and prayed: perhaps, that night, the most dejected and reluctant convert in all England.

I did not then see what is now the most shining and obvious thing: the Divine humility which will accept a convert even on such terms.

The Prodigal Son at least walked home on his own feet.

.... that Love which will open the high gates to a prodigal son also opens to one who is brought in kicking, struggling, resentful and darting his eyes every direction for a chance of escape?

The words compelle intrare, (compel them to come in), have been so abused by wicked men that we shudder at them; but, properly understood, they plumb the depth of the Divine mercy.

The hardness of God is kinder than the softness of men, and His compulsion is our liberation.

   -- From Surprised by Joy, by C S Lewis