the ministry of presence

A friend who lives & works in Indonesia sent out an update today and included a great quote from one of my favorite authors, Henri Nouwen.  Nouwen is talking about the idea of "the ministry of presence" - a practice that I think is hard for our western, achievement-oriented, results-now, calendar-driven mindset and culture.  I am thankful that the Lord continues to challenge this perspective in my own life - and for showing me that often simply taking the time to be with others is just as significant (& sometimes more so) than what I can do for them or words I can say. 

“More and more the desire grows in me simply to walk around, greet people, enter their homes, sit on their doorsteps, play ball, and be known as someone who wants to live with them.  It is a privilege to have the time to practice this simple ministry of presence. Still, it is not as simple as it seems.  My own desire to be useful, to do something significant, or to be part of some impressive project is so strong that soon my time is taken up by meetings, conference, study groups, and workshops that prevent me from walking the streets. It is difficult not to have plans, not to organize people around an urgent cause, and not to feel that you are working directly for social progress.  But I wonder more and more if the first thing shouldn't be to know people by name, to eat and drink with them, to listen to their stories and tell your own, and to let them know with words, handshakes and hugs that you do not simply like them, but you truly love them.”


- Henri Nouwen, Gracias!: A Latin American Journal, published by Orbis Books NY, 1983, page 147-148 

(Thanks, Davies, for passing along this great quote - you rock!)