Henri Nouwen

When I was in seminary college in the late 1970s, I first started hearing about Henri Nouwen. But only recently have I read any of his writings. Right now I’m reading a book of his selected writings, which blows me away just about every time I turn a page. Here’s a taste, an excerpt from Bread for the Journey:

Often we want to be able to see into the future. We say, “How will next year be for me? Where will I be five or ten years from now?” There are no answers to these questions. Mostly we have just enough light to see the next step: what we have to do in the coming hour or the following day. The art of living is to enjoy what we can see and not complain about what remains in the dark. When we are able to take the next step with the trust that we will have enough light for the step that follows, we can walk through life with joy and be surprised at how far we go. Let’s rejoice in the little light we carry and not ask for the great beam that would take all shadows away.

Comments

[Schroeder]

I read Nouwen as a "secular missionary" in Honduras many years ago. He gets to the heart of divinity and purpose without being preachy.

[Eleanor]

Hi Raymond
If you are only beginning to discover Henri Nouwen you have a wealth of spiritual wisdom to catch up on! My favourites are The Genesee Diary and Return of the Prodigal Son. His biography by Michael Ford makes interesting reading as well.
Enjoy!