Somewhere we know that without a lonely place our lives are in danger. Somewhere we know that without silence words lose their meaning, that without listening speaking no longer heals, without distance closeness cannot cure. Somewhere we know that without a lonely place our actions quickly become empty gestures. The careful balance between silence and words, withdrawal and involvement, distance and closeness, solitude and community forms the basis of the Christian life and should therefore be the subjects of our most person attention. Let us therefore look somewhat closer, first at our life in action and at our life in solitude.-Henri Nouwen, Out of Solitude
(Back in the Austin area for a while. Enjoying warm weather and the festiveness of the season with that special Austin flare.)
1 comment:
What a great idea. That Philip Yancey book I keep yammering on about (Prayer: Does It Make a Difference?) has a quote in it that makes me yearn for "a set apart space" where I can spend "some good, centering times":
"For one soul that exclaims 'Speak, Lord, for thy servant heareth,' there are ten that say 'Hear, Lord! For thy servant speaketh."
This quote made me think about how much we need quiet time for reflection and to keep our ears and hearts open and ready to receive a message...and how our prayer life shouldn't remind Him of a cuckoo clock who opens a window, reads off a shopping list of requests, and then disappears and closes the line of communication when the window slams shut...
You just have to read this book! It's so great. Oh, and that NPR guy's _China Road_, too!
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