free space

 

watercolor

“Hospitality 

means primarily the creation of free space 

where the stranger can enter 

and become a friend instead of an enemy. 

Hospitality is not to change people, 

but to offer them space where change can take place. 

It is not to bring men and women over to our side, 

but to offer freedom 

not disturbed by dividing lines.” 

― Henri J.M. Nouwen, Reaching Out

Sharing at PaintPartyFriday

Invisible (study#3)

watercolor
(click to enlarge)

“Compassion asks us to go where it hurts, 

to enter into the places of pain, 

to share in brokenness,

 fear,

 confusion,

 and anguish. 

Compassion challenges us to cry out with those in misery, 

to mourn with those who are lonely, 

to weep with those in tears. 

Compassion requires us to be weak with the weak, 

vulnerable with the vulnerable,

 and powerless with the powerless. 

Compassion means full immersion 

in the condition of being human.” 

― Henri J.M. Nouwen

sharing at
PPF and APR

two friends sharing

watercolor and ink

“When we honestly ask ourselves which person in our lives mean the most to us, 

we often find that it is those who, instead of giving advice, solutions, or cures, 

have chosen rather to share our pain and touch our wounds with a warm and tender hand. 

The friend who can be silent with us in a moment of despair or confusion, 

who can stay with us in an hour of grief and bereavement, 

who can tolerate not knowing, not curing, not healing 

and face with us the reality of our powerlessness, 

that is a friend who cares.” 

~Henry J.M. Nouwen

The Road to Daybreak: A Spiritual Journey