Henri J.M. Nouwen has been my favorite theologian for the past ten years. And it's not only because he's Dutch. Although that does make him naturally good looking. But with new struggles in life, Nouwen's words of consolation and healing have taken on new meaning and have been a source of comfort during these past few months. Below is a quick daily meditation from Nouwen that continues to speak into my soul.
"Time heals," people often say. This is not true when it means that we will eventually forget the wounds inflicted on us and be able to live on as if nothing happened. That is not really healing; it is simply ignoring reality. But when the expression "time heals" means that faithfulness in a difficult relationship can lead us to a deeper understanding of the ways we have hurt each other, then there is much truth in it. "Time heals" implies not passively waiting but actively working with our pain and trusting in the possibility of forgiveness and reconciliation.
Upon reflecting on these words through the lens of the "truth in it" -- I have started to find strength in truth of the struggle. It's a beautiful struggle. Maybe not as beautiful as Talib Kweli lyrically, but my beautiful struggle, nonetheless.
