Do you believe that the God of Jesus loves you beyond worthiness and unworthiness, beyond fidelity and infidelityโthat he loves you in the morning sun and in the evening rainโthat he loves you when your intellect denies it, your emotions refuse it, your whole being rejects it. Do you believe that God loves without condition or reservation and loves you this moment as you are and not as you should be.
Brennan ManningThe dominant characteristic of an authentic spiritual life is the gratitude that flows from trust โ not only for all the gifts that I receive from God, but gratitude for all the suffering. Because in that purifying experience, suffering has often been the shortest path to intimacy with God.
Brennan Manning