“Although we tend to think about saints as holy and pious, and picture them with halos above their heads and ecstatic gazes, true saints are much more accessible. They are men and women like us, who live ordinary lives and struggle with ordinary problems. What makes them saints is their clear and unwavering focus on God and God’s people. (They) are our brothers and sisters, calling us to become like them.”
~Henri Nouwen
Mitch Teemley 
Absolutely! We need look no further than the apostles themselves to see they were ordinary strugglers like anyone.
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Thomas a Kempis fits that description well.
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He does indeed. And Brother Lawrence, and many more.
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Even when our focus is wavering and unclear, He still calls us saints by His grace
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This reminds me of how C.S. Lewis describes Hell in one of his books. He puts everyone sitting across from on another at giant banquet tables. Each person has a 3 foot fork strapped to one arm and a 3 foot spoon strapped to the other. The “guests” could easily reach across the table and feed one another, but they are too self-centered to do this. So, they are starving.
Such is the reality of our navel gazing world, brother.
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David, yes, the parable of the longs spoons (or forks) makes a powerful point, although it doesn’t apparently originate with C.S. Lewis. It has far older roots.
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I just learned something new. Thanks, Mitch.
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That was CS Lewis? I’ve always wondered where that brilliant bit of imagery came from. Thanks!
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Oh, wait, now I read Mitch’s comment and I’m ignorant again, sigh!
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;>) No one knows for sure who first told the story, only that it goes back a long ways, centuries probably.
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Probably. It’s one of those! 😊
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Thanks for this, Mitch. So true. Speaks to the importance of discipleship, among other things, I think.
I only recently discovered Nouwen, and have been enriched. Better late than never, I guess!
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Indeed, Phillip. Nouwen is a marvellous devotional writer.
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Amen 🙌🏽
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Oh, that’s so good. Nouwen is such an insightful writer. Years ago when my dad taught an adult Bible study class, he’d often call his students “saints,” as a reminder that all of us who follow Jesus are set apart to God. May we live up to that title with choices that honor him!
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Amen, Nancy!
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mitch tag 7/13
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Romans 7:3? Why, Rudy?
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no the date
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What about the date?
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Yes, ordinary people, yet with a “clear and unwavering focus on God and God’s people.”
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At least in our lifetime, I would consider Mother Teresa a real apostle, who was deserved of sainthood. Otherwise, I’ve heard of too many historical “political” reasons given for sainthood.
Art
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Great quote.
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