Morning Thanks--Nouwen on joy

A friend sent me this from Henri Nouwen.

The third discipline is the hardest one. It is the discipline to be surprised not by suffering but by joy. As we grow old, we will have to stretch out our arms, be guided and led to places we would rather not go. What was true for Peter will be true for us. There is suffering ahead of us.. . . But don't be surprised by pain. 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. God becomes ours and goes out from us wherever we go and to whomever we meet.

This friend of mine thought I’d like it. She’s right, so this morning I’m thankful for the idea, for Nouwen, and for the friend.