Henri Nouwen

Transcript

Henri Nouwen was a brilliant Yale professor who left teaching to live and work with handicapped adults. His pace slowed as he learned their simpler ways. He wrote of a growing desire to “simply walk around—to greet people, sit on doorsteps, play ball . . . to live a ministry of presence.”

As Nouwen struggled with his ambition and drive, he often wondered, "if the first thing shouldn’t be to know people by name . . to use words, handshakes and hugs to say that you not only like, but truly love them.”

I’m Howard Butt, Jr. of Laity Lodge, and like Henri Nouwen, we all struggle to balance work and relationships. But remember—God blesses us, not in spite of, but through people, in the high calling of our daily work.

Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.

(1 Thess. 4:11-12)