Quotable.

You are living through an unusual time.
You see that you are called to go toward
solitude,
prayer,
hiddenness,
and great simplicity.
You see that, for the time being, you have to be
limited in your movements,
sparing with phone calls,
and careful in letter writing.

You also know that the fulfillment of your burning desire for intimate friendships,
shared ministry,
and creative work
will not bring you what you really want.
It is a new experience for you to feel both the desire and its unreality.
You sense that nothing but God's love can fulfill your deepest need
while the pull to other people and things remains strong.
It seems that peace and anguish exist side by side in you,
that you desire both distraction and prayer concentration...

It is clear that something in you is dying,
and something is being born.
You must remain
attentive,
calm,
and obedient
to your best intuitions...
You feel vulnerable but safe at the same time.
Jesus is where you are, and you can trust that he will show you the next step.

- Henri J. M. Nouwen