September 28, 2016 – A Friend

A Friend

   “When we honestly ask ourselves which persons in our lives mean the most to us, we often find that it is those who, instead of giving advice, solutions, or cures, have chosen rather to share our pain and touch our wounds with a warm and tender hand.”             — Henri Nouwen (1932-1996)  Dutch Catholic priest (lived in US)

           Nouwen continues his commentary on friendship:

   “The friend who can be silent with us in a moment of despair or confusion,

   who can stay with us in an hour of grief and bereavement,

   who can tolerate not knowing, not curing, not healing

   and face us with the reality of our powerlessness,

   that is a friend who cares.”

           Happy are you if you have a friend like that. And happy are your friends when you can be a friend like that.

           In your quiet moments this week, bring to mind your friends― and perhaps which of them needs a friend about now.