Work around your abyss (Henri Nouwen)

Henri Nouwen speaks of a deep hole in our being, like an abyss of our loneliness and hurt. And we must slowly work around it until it closes. He says

"Since the hole is so enormous and your anguish so deep, you will always be tempted to flee from it. There are two extremes to avoid: being completely absorbed in your pain and being distracted by so many things that you stay far away from the wound you want to heal."

I typically live in those two extremes. I am either completely overwhelmed by my sadness or to avoid that feeling, I tend to fill my time and thoughts with busyness. But as I am allowing Jesus to hold me, I am able to know he can sustain me and care for my emptiness and fears. And I have faith he will be able to heal me.

I long to be like the Centurion man in Luke 7 who had so much faith in Jesus that he ran out to him in the road and said "say the word, and let my servant be healed." He believed Jesus had the authority and power to heal his servant.

Lord give me the hope to run out to you and put my faith in you.

And also thanks for the joy of my husband who is waiting for me to join him in watching Shrek on this lovely Sunday night.