Henri Nouwen is thought of as one of the greatest spiritual teachers and authors of the 20th century. I found this short extract from his book ‘Finding Our Way Home In An Age Of Anxiety’ to be relevant to the Toxic Shame and Emotional Sobriety sections of our website.
I also believe the 3rd step and 7th step prayers become more focused and energized in the light of this reflection. One of my favorite books of his so relevant to what happens here in AA is The Wounded Healer. If you find this helpful, do a search on ‘Nouwen’ and see other reflections which you may find worthwhile. – Bruce M.
The first love says, “I loved you before you could love anyone or before you could receive love from anyone. I have accepted you. You are accepted. You are loved no matter what mother, father, brother, sister, school, church, society does. You are born out of my love. I have breathed you out of my love. I have spoken you out of my love. You are the incarnation of my love and in me there is no hatred, there is no revenge, there is no resentment. There is nothing that wants to reject you. I love you. Can you trust that love?
The original love is the original blessing.
The original love is the original acceptance.
Reflection Question: What difference would it make if you fully accepted that there is nothing in God that wants to reject you?