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Be surprised by joy, be surprised by the little flower that shows its beauty in the midst of a barren desert, and be surprised by the immense healing power that keeps bursting forth like springs of fresh water from the depth of our pain.
Henri Nouwen
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Embrace unexpected joy and beauty that can emerge from difficult circumstances.

This quote encourages us to remain open to the moments of joy and beauty that can arise even in the most challenging situations. It reminds us that despite the harshness of life, like a flower blooming in a barren desert, there is potential for healing and renewal springing from our pain and struggles, offering hope and inspiration.

Themes

JoyBeautyHealingPainInspiration

In practice

Example use cases

In a motivational speech about resilience after loss.

More from Henri Nouwen

The Christian leader of the future is called to be completely irrelevant and to stand in this world with nothing to offer but his or her own vulnerable self. God loves us, not because of what we do or accomplish, but because God has created and redeemed us in love.
Henri NouwenRead
The immense joy in welcoming back the lost son hides in the immense sorrow that has gone before....our brokenness may appear beautiful, but our brokenness has no other beauty but the beauty that comes from the compassion that surrounds it.
Henri NouwenRead
Suffering invites us to place our hurts in larger hands. In Christ we see God suffering – for us. And calling us to share in God’s suffering love for a hurting world. The small and even overpowering pains of our lives are intimately connected with the greater pains of Christ. Our daily sorrows are anchored in a greater sorrow and therefore a larger hope.
Henri NouwenRead
To listen is very hard, because it asks of us so much interior stability that we no longer need to prove ourselves by speeches, arguments, statements or declarations. True listeners no longer have an inner need to make their presence known. They are free to receive, welcome, to accept.
Henri NouwenRead
Waiting is a dry desert between where we are and where we want to be. (Finding My Way Home)
Henri NouwenRead
Becoming the beloved is pulling the truth revealed to me from above down into the ordinariness of what I am, in fact, thinking of, talking about and doing from hour to hour.
Henri NouwenRead

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