Thoughts from Nouwen's Bread for the Journey

Sunrise, New Smyrna Beach, FL 5/29/04 dd

Yesterday and today I switched from my normal reading of Jesus Calling to another favorite devotional reading of mine, Bread for the Journey by Henri Nouwen.

Yesterday's entry (March 23), "Sharing Our Solitude", reminded me of the times I have been able to share those kinds of moments with friends.  It is precious indeed to be able to simply share the space.

Nouwen writes:

"A friend is more than a therapist or a confessor, even though a friend can sometimes heal us and offer us God's forgiveness.
     A friend is that other person with whom we can share our solitude, our silence, and our prayer.  A friend is that other person with whom we can look at a tree and say, "Isn't that beautiful," or sit on the beach and silently watch the sun disappear under the horizon.  With a friend we don't have to say or do something special.  With a friend we can be still and know that God is there with both of us."

Today's entry (March 24), "Friendship in the Twilight Zones of our Hearts",  reminds me how others can better see us than we can see ourselves.  Often they can help us identify our weaknesses and giftedness as they look upon our lives.  This devotional speaks to me deeply.

Nouwen writes:

"There is a twilight zone in our own hearts that we ourselves cannot see.  Even when we know quite a lot about ourselves---our gifts and weaknesses, our ambitions and aspirations, our motives and drives---large parts of ourselves remain in the shadow of consciousness.
     This is a very good thing.  We will always remain partially hidden to ourselves.  Other people, especially those who love us, can often see our twilight zones better than we ourselves can.  The way we are seen and understood by others is different from the way we see and understand ourselves.  We will never fully know the significane of our presence in the lives of our friends.  That's a grace, a grace that calls us not only to humility but also to a deep trust in those who love us.  It is in the twilight zones of our hearts where true friendships are born."

There is quite a bit to reflect upon here.... friendship primarily, but also silence, solitude, humility, grace, trust, and maybe some other things that spring up from reflection time.

For me, I am blessed to be surrounded by a cloud of friends--- present and past; near and far; living and deceased.  I am grateful for the lives that have touched mine that have caused me to grow, helped me to heal, etc. 

May you know this type of blessing too, this blessing of friendship that goes deep into the twilight zones of our hearts and that doesn't need words at all times.

~Debra ☺