“ Every time we make the decision to love someone, we open ourselves to great suffering, because those we most love cause us not only great joy but also great pain. The greatest pain comes from leaving. When the child leaves home, when the husband or wife leaves for a long period of time or for good, when the beloved friend departs to another country or dies … the pain of the leaving can tear us apart. Still, if we want to avoid the suffering of leaving, we will never experience the joy of loving. And love is stronger than fear, life stronger than death, hope stronger than despair. We have to trust that the risk of loving is always worth taking.” - Henri Nouwen ”
My friend and I are both going through each of our own difficult times right now filled with doubt and confusion, and she sent this quote that really hits home to both of us. Love is very difficult - it can be the most wonderful thing in the world, but when we truly give our hearts to someone and open ourselves up to them…that love can often times lead to pain.
