knowing and being known

It is a false form of honesty that suggests that nothing should remain hidden and that everything should be said, expressed and communicated. This honesty can be very harmful, and if it does not harm, it at least makes the relationship flat, superficial, empty and often boring. When we try to shake off our loneliness by creating a milieu without limiting boundaries, we may become entangled in a stagnating closeness. It is our vocation to prevent the harmful exposure of our inner sanctuary, not only for our own protection but also as a service to our fellow human beings without whom we want to enter in a creative communion. Just as words lose their power when they are not born out of silence, so openness loses its meaning when there is no ability to be closed...

Certainly in a period of history in which we have become so acutely aware of our alienation in its different manifestations, it has become difficult to unmask the illusion that the final solution for our experience of loneliness is to be found in human togetherness.

A lot of times I really don't get Henry Nouwen (THE introvert of Christian literature introverts?), but I am really thankful for this shred of wisdom.

Sometimes, like it has been this week, I want so much to know and be fully known in my relationships that it makes me sad and quite distracted.
Henry Nouwen reminds me that in any relationship in life (marriage included) I will never be fully known by any person other than God. And I realize that's okay. In fact, it is a good good thing.

God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change,
courage to change the things I can,
and wisdom to know the difference.

Let's know and be known by one another in a way that is healthy for all of us and brings Him the greatest honor. Let's depend on Him for wisdom to know how and how much and when...
And where that human togetherness falls short, may we be satisfied in knowing that He knows us fully, perfectly, exhaustively, completely. He comprehends every single thought, emotion, meditation, struggle, wordless prayer. And His love - full, perfect, exhaustive, complete - meets every need so long as we trust and obey.