I think that reading the introduction and epilogue made all the difference for this book for me. I came into the writing with a background on the reasoning why Nouwen wrote the book the way that He did. He didnt mean for it to be this profound, heady piece of writing, but to talk about one's belovedness to the secular world. Read any kind of intro, epilogue, author's note etc people -- it matters!

Book club w Cecilia & Ivy except I read ahead…sorry girls

2.5
while this was an illustrious and beautiful depiction of what a rooted identity in divine belovedness can look like, i just couldn’t see past the lack of awareness of varied social/cultural/structural contexts. i appreciated the sentiments behind nouwen’s ideas and hopes, but couldn’t ever fully get on board. he is a humble author, though, and speaks from the love and peace he has personally experienced, which is something to be admired.

I am: chosen, blessed, broken and given.

Not in any way a hard read, but one I needed to take my time with, to let it settle in and make space for reflection and action.

It's seemed remarkably in tune with the relationships and topics on my heart right now, but I think perhaps it's a simple enough book and has enough wisdom that might always be true.

It was a nice moment to have it recommended as a source of comfort right now when I had just been reading it. I could go back to a specific passage and find it even more helpful in facing the death of one of the people I love most in the world.

Living with grief will never be easy, he doesn't claim it can, but I sent his words along to her because it gave such a beautiful way of seeing a life well lived and that's exactly what I wanted to express to her while I can.

4.5.

“The change of which I speak is the change from living life as a painful test to prove that you deserve to be loved, to living it as an unceasing ‘Yes’ to the truth of that Belovedness.”

Reading this book was like feeling a breeze on a hot day: unexpected and refreshing.

Though, I don’t know, that metaphor seems too small for what Nouwen does in “Life of the Beloved.” With clarity and feeling, he attempts to put into words what it means to realize you are and then continually become the beloved of God.

Do I really believe God loves me? How would my life, and the way I live it, change if I did? How would I treat others if I recognized them as fellow beloveds of God? Big, spiritual questions with immensely practical applications.

How Henri describes the power of blessing and the work of brokenness in our life was as profound as it was helpful. It was a balm to my soul in the season of ministry.

Really consoling if you are passing times of trouble and darkness .
Henri J.M. Newer is a man who speaks from the heart, is honest and sincere.
The whole book is like speaking with a good friend who understands your brokenness and the difficulties of living in a secular world

Very short, and sweet. Written for a secular friend of his, Henri explains at the beginning the intention for this to speak to non-believers, very NYC-career focused individuals. The epilogue explains that his friend still struggled with the book and his Christian friends found more peace and application in reading it. This honesty boosted my score as reading it, the subject matter seemed very dreamlike and intense for someone unfamiliar with having a relationship with Jesus and seemed to miss the intended mark. Was going to give it 4/5 stars because it necessarily isn't my favorite style of writing but it really hit close to home for me. Great take aways and reminders for a Christian's identity as chosen and beloved.

Read it two years ago, but find myself coming back to it often.

Finished this book one year ago (ish) and forgot. FORGOT? HOW COULD I FORGET? I absolutely loved this book. It was an engaging, powerful read that went straight for the heart. Would recommend this to anyone. Anyone!!! It’s so approachable yet so penetrating!! It shakes up my existence every time I think about it and reminds me of the vast and infinite torrent that is the Lord’s love, constantly willing us into existence and into relationship with Himself!!! Nouwen nails it every. Single. Time.

Loved this book. Already reading it for a second time. Cha Cha gave it to me so creds to her. Gave such a beautiful yet easy to understand insight on what it means to live a spiritual life. What it means to be blessed. What it means to be a part of the kingdom and known by God!