I’m still reading “The Mission of Bahá’u’lláh” by George Townshend, as the opportunity arises. One of the articles talks about the letters ‘Abdu’l-Bahá wrote, providing a nice overview of the themes He covered. I found the following excerpt quite interesting:

When asked about problems of human relationships or the life of the home He affirms that one must at all times be free from merely personal desires and warmed with devotion to God. One must love all people and one’s own family with a ray of the infinite Godward love – personal love is not enough.

To one whose home was a place of strain He wrote: “It behooveth thee to sever thyself from all desires save thy Lord, the Supreme, expecting no help or aid from anyone in the universe, not even from thy father or children. Resign thyself to God… Be patient in the time of affliction and trial, endure every difficulty and hardship with a dilated heart, attracted spirit and eloquent tongue in remembrance of the Merciful.” (1) To another He wrote explaining: “When thou beholdest with the eye of Truth then thou wilt realize that in this world neither known or unknown, neither kind father or beloved son, mother or sister, help us. No persons assist except the Benevolent Almighty. When thou knowest Him, thou art independent from all else. When thou art attached to His love, then thou art detached from every kith and kin.” (2) Only when the heart has broken the lure of a limited love can it be attuned to the perfect love, the perfect joy that will satisfy it for ever.

1. Tablets of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá v1, p. 97
2. Tablets of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá v3, p. 671