I Hope ...

I hope that I will always be for each person what he or she needs me to be.

I hope that each person's death will diminish me, but that fear of my own will never diminish my joy of life.

I hope that my love for those whom I like will never lessen my love for those whom I do not.

I hope that another person's love for me will never be a measure of my love for him or her.

I hope that everybody will accept me as I am, but that I never will.

I hope that I will always ask for forgiveness from others, but will never need to be asked for my own . . .

I hope that I will always recognize my limitations, but that I will construct none.

I hope that loving will always be my goal, but that love will never be my idol.

I hope that everyone will always have hope.

-Henri Nouwen

We always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers. We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. ~ 1 Thessalonians 1:2-3