Life of the Beloved
Categories: uncategorized
Date: 27 April 2008 00:07:07
One of my favourite authors, Henri Nouwen wrote a fabulous little book called Life of the Beloved: Spiritual Living in a Secular World. It has been on my mind a lot lately and I wanted to share a bit that moves me every time I read it... sorry it is a little bit long!
Not long ago, in my own community I had a very personal experience of the power of a real blessing. Shortly before I started a prayer service on one of our houses, Janet, a handicapped member of our community, said to me “Henri, can you give me a blessing?” I responded in a somewhat automatic way by tracing with my thumb the sign of the cross on her forehead. Instead of being grateful, however she protested vehemently, “No that doesn't work. I want a real blessing!”' I suddenly became aware of the ritualistic quality of my response to her request and said, “Oh I am sorry... let me give you a real blessing when we are all together for the prayer service.” She nodded with a smile, and I realised that something special was required of me. After the service, when about thirty people were sitting in a circle on the floor, I said, “Janet has asked me for a special blessing. She feels that she needs that now.” As I was saying this, I didn't know what Janet really wanted. But Janet didn't leave me in doubt for very long. As soon as I had said, “Janet has asked me for a special blessing,” she stood up and walked toward me. I was wearing a long white robe with ample sleeves covering my hands as well as my arms. Spontaneously, Janet put her arms around me and put her head against my chest. Without thinking, I covered her with my sleeves so that she almost vanished in the folds of my robe. As we held each other I said, “Janet, I want you to know that you are God's Beloved Daughter. You are precious in God's eyes. Your beautiful smile, your kindness to the people in your house and all the good things you do show us what a beautiful human being you are. I know you feel a little low these days and that there is some sadness in your heart, but I want you to remember who you are: a very special person, deeply loved by God and all the people who are here with you.”
... After I had spoken words of blessing to her many more of the handicapped people following, expressing the same desire to be blessed. The most touching moment however came when one of the assistants, a twenty-four-year-old student, raised his hand and said “And what about me?” “Sure,” I said. “Come.” He came, and, as we stood before each other I put my arms around him and said, “John, it is so good that you are here. You are God's Beloved Son. Your presence is a joy for all of us. When things are hard and life is burdensome, always remember that you are loved with an everlasting love.” As I spoke these works, he looked at me with tears in his eyes and then he said, “Thank you, thank you very much”
I have had a really tough few weeks, mainly with work stuff going on that has seriously been destroying my peace. I picked this book off my bookshelf a couple of weeks ago, for a bit of a flick-read as I couldn't concentrate too well on anything else. Anyway, I came across this passage again and as I read it I began to weep.
It seemed to reflect my deepest needs. Not only the need to be held and comforted, although that was part of it, but the need for a deep affirmation of who I am and what I do. That reminder that no matter what I am feeling and what is going on I am still called “Beloved Daughter” by the Most High. That the God who flung the stars into space still wants me to rest my head against his chest so that he can enfold his arms around me and whisper in my ear “You are my Beloved”.
When the going has been tough this week I have forced myself to be still and quiet (something that I find very, very difficult!) and to haul the image of Janet enveloped in the arms of Henri Nouwen as a metaphor of the way God reaches to me in my moments of deepest despair. In a world that threatens to swallow me up at times, the understanding of being the Beloved is what is keeping my head above the water.
This is truly the Life of the Beloved.