Writing is not just a job. It helps me to pray. It's a way of being. Henri Nouwen More Quotes by Henri Nouwen More Quotes From Henri Nouwen We cannot make it rain but we can see to it that the rain falls on prepared soil. Henri Nouwen soilrainfall A life without a lonely place, that is, a life without a quiet center, easily becomes destructive. When we cling to the results of our actions as our only way of self-identifiction, then we become possessive and defensive and tend to look at our fellow human beings more as enemies to be kept at a distance than as friends with whom we share the gifts of life. Henri Nouwen distancelonelylife You have to listen to the one who calls you beloved. That has to be affirmed over and over again. That is prayer - listening to the voice of the one who calls you "the beloved." Henri Nouwen voiceprayerlistening the real "work" of prayer is to become silent and listen to the voice that says good things about me. To gently push aside and silence the many voices that question my goodness and to trust that I will hear the voice of blessing-- that demands real effort. Henri Nouwen realprayerblessing My hope is that the description of God's love in my life will give you the freedom and the courage to discover... God's love in yours. Henri Nouwen gods-lovedescriptiongiving Gratitude flows from the recognition that who we are and what we have are gifts Henri Nouwen who-we-aregratitudeflow The fruits of your labors may be reaped two generations from now. Trust, even when you don't see the results. Henri Nouwen generationsmaytwo Our lives are unique stones in the mosaic of human existence -- priceless and irreplaceable. Henri Nouwen mosaicsuniquestones While optimism makes us live as if someday soon things will soon go better for us, hope frees us from the need to predict the future and allows us to live in the present, with the deep trust that God will never leave us alone but will fulfill the deepest desires of our heart... Joy in this perspective is the fruit of hope. Henri Nouwen optimismperspectiveheart Be surprised by joy, be surprised by the little flower that shows its beauty in the midst of a barren desert, and be surprised by the immense healing power that keeps bursting forth like springs of fresh water from the depth of our pain. Henri Nouwen painflowerspring Living a spiritual life requires a change of heart, a conversion. Such a conversion may be marked by a sudden inner change, or it can take place through a long, quiet process of transformation. But it always involves an inner experience of oneness. Henri Nouwen onenessspiritualheart Praying is no easy matter. It demands a relationship in which you allow someone other than yourself to enter into the very center of your person, to see there what you would rather leave in darkness, and to touch there what you would rather leave untouched. Henri Nouwen demanddarknessmatter If we want other people to give us something that only God can give, we become a demon. We say, "Love me!" and before you know it we become violent and demanding and manipulative. It's so important that we keep forgiving one another - not once in a while, but every moment of life. Henri Nouwen forgivenessgivingpeople I am beginning now to see how radically the character of my spiritual journey will change when I no longer think of God as hiding out and making it as difficult as possible for me to find him, but instead as the one who is looking for me while I am doing the hiding. Henri Nouwen journeyspiritualcharacter The art of living is to enjoy what we can see and not complain about what remains in the dark. Henri Nouwen darkcomplainingart Hospitality is not to change people, but to offer them space where change can take place. Henri Nouwen hospitalityspacepeople Our glory is hidden in our pain, if we allow God to bring the gift of himself in our experience of it. Henri Nouwen paingloryifs Prayer is first of all listening to God. It's openness. God is always speaking; he's always doing something. Henri Nouwen prayerlisteningfirsts Joy does not simply happen to us. We have to choose joy and keep choosing it every day. Henri Nouwen true-joyopportunityhappiness Joy is based on the spiritual knowledge that, while the world in which we live is shrouded in darkness, God has overcome the world. Henri Nouwen darknessspiritualjoy
