I'll be posting a few of the many of what seem to be Henri Nouwen's 'secret journal'. It was written during the most difficult period of his life, when, following the breakdown of a close relationship. he suddenly lost his self esteem, his energy to live and work, his sense of being loved, even his hope in God. Although he experienced excruciating anguish and despair, he was still able to keep a journal in which he wrote each day a spiritual imperative to himself, which emerged from his conversations with friends.
For more than eight years, Henri Nouwen felt that what he wrote was too raw and private to share with others. Instead he published The Return of the Prodigal Son, in which he expressed some of the insights gained during his mental and spiritual crisis. But then friends asked him, 'Why keep your anguish hidden from the many people who have been nurtured by your writing?Wouldn't it be of consolation for many to know about the fierce inner battle that lies underneath many of your spiritual insights?'
It's been suggested that this journals are not meant to be read all at once.They were written over a long period of time and need to be read that way too. I find this true to myself. Try reading them slowly & capture the treasure hidden in each of them. Anyway, I'll only be able to type out a few at one time=)
But truly his writing has been a blessing to me. The first book that I read was The Return of The Prodigal Son given by one of my friend. Since then, I've always wish to get hold of the rest of his books. Recently, I went to one of my Ipoh church camp. And the team for the camp was The Return of the Prodigal Son. Sat next to me was this gal who later told me she has 5 of his books. Isn't He beautiful to place me right next to her?=)Inner Voice of Love is one of them. Enjoy!
"Today, the time when I wrote these spiritual imperative seems far away and long ago. Reading them now, eight years later, makes me aware of the radical changes I have undergone. I moved from anguish to freedom, from depression to peace, from despair to hope. What once seemed such a curse has become a blessing. All the agony that threatened to destroy my life no seems like the fertile ground for greater trust, stronger hope, and deeper love," -Henri J. M. Nouwen
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