This is such a great thought ...
Thanks to Henri Nouwen!
True Intimacy
Human relationships easily become possessive. Our hearts so much desire to be loved that we are inclined to cling to the person who offers us love, affection, friendship, care, or support. Once we have seen or felt a hint of love, we want more of it. That explains why lovers so often bicker with each other. Lovers' quarrels are quarrels between people who want more of each other than they are able or willing to give.
It is very hard for love not to become possessive because our hearts look for perfect love and no human being is capable of that. Only God can offer perfect love. Therefore, the art of loving includes the art of giving one another space. When we invade one another's space and do not allow the other to be his or her own free person, we cause great suffering in our relationships. But when we give another space to move and share our gifts, true intimacy becomes possible.
True Intimacy
Human relationships easily become possessive. Our hearts so much desire to be loved that we are inclined to cling to the person who offers us love, affection, friendship, care, or support. Once we have seen or felt a hint of love, we want more of it. That explains why lovers so often bicker with each other. Lovers' quarrels are quarrels between people who want more of each other than they are able or willing to give.
It is very hard for love not to become possessive because our hearts look for perfect love and no human being is capable of that. Only God can offer perfect love. Therefore, the art of loving includes the art of giving one another space. When we invade one another's space and do not allow the other to be his or her own free person, we cause great suffering in our relationships. But when we give another space to move and share our gifts, true intimacy becomes possible.
3 Comments:
Mmmm, Nouwen. Such a blessing he is.
My continual goal is to try to receive all love as a gift, and to recognize that all streams of it have their headwaters in Christ. If He's not pouring it into me through Person X, than perhaps He wishes to do so directly, or maybe through Person Y or Z. Even more likely, it's through the stranger and the poor...
great insight... :)
hey shez, i loved getting your e-mail today. i'm choosing to return it to you tomorrow at work. cause lets face it.. i can get paid to e-mail. sweet. just so you know i'm still posting on xanga too. same thing in too places...too many of my friends can't comment on myspace. so don't fret. you can still comment. talk to you soon
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