How can someone ever trust in the existence of an unconditional divine love when most, if not all, of what he or she has experienced is the opposite of love – fear, hatred, violence, and abuse?
They are not condemned to be victims! There remains within them, hidden as it may seem, the possibility to choose love. Many people who have suffered the most horrendous rejections and been subject to the most cruel torture are able to choose love. By choosing love they become witnesses not only to enormous human resiliency but also to the divine love that transcends all human loves. Those who choose, even on a small scale, to love in the midst of hatred and fear are the people who offer true hope to our world.
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June 14, 2008 at 11:47 am
Karen Hopper
Words wonderfully written. As a child, my life was filled with hatred and abuse. As an adult, I chose to LOVE. It is my belief that many of the most compassionate people have come from extreme circumstances and are aware of the pain and suffering of others – and it is their desire to make Love supreme.
June 14, 2008 at 11:56 am
helenl
I agree, Karen. Too many people seek balance as their goal. The goal is become like Jesus.
June 15, 2008 at 2:02 am
Lisa Allender
Helen, Hi there…First, I tried to post some time ago(I believe just after you posted at the entry at my blog where I discussed my “Election Day Moment”…I find your entries on Peace, Reconciliation, and the nature of LOVE, to be spot-on. I rediscovered Faith, and indeed, my Roman Catholic roots only within the past four years(I was a self-described “cheerful atheist/non-theist” for nearly 18 years before that.)
Peace and Blessings to you, dear. Keep up the great work!
http://www.lisananetteallender.blogspot.com/
June 15, 2008 at 5:39 pm
helenl
Hi Lisa, Glad you came back and that you enjoy the posts by Nouwen.