A relationship of love

"For now I just want you to be with me and discover that our relationship is not about performance or you having to please me. I'm not a bully, not some self-centered demanding little deity insisting on my own way. I am good, and I desire only what is best for you. You cannot find that through guilt or condemnation or coercion, only through a relationship of love. And I do love you." (p. 126)

Its the Knowing that Grows

"So many believe that loves grows, but it is the knowing that grows and love simply expands to contain it. Love is just the skin of knowing." (p. 155)

And the most loving outcome

"There are millions of reasons to allow pain and hurt and suffering rather than eradicate them, but most of those reasons can only be understood within each person's story. I am not evil. You are the ones who embrace fear and pain and power and rights so readily in your relationships. But your choices are also not stronger than my purposes, and I will use every choice you make for ultimate good and the most loving outcome." (p. 125)

"I already told you that forgiveness does not create a relationship. Unless people speak the truth about what they have done and change their mind and behavior, a relationship of trust is not possible. When you forgive someone you certainly release them from judgment, but without true change, no real relationship can be established." (p. 225)

We Love You

"So why do I have so much fear in my life?"

" Because you don't believe. You don't know that we love you. The person who lives by their fears will not find freedom in my love."(p. 142)

"Emotions are the color of the soul; they are spectacular and incredible. When you don't feel, the world becomes dull and colorless." (p. 196)

The wonder and adventure

"But if I give up..."

"Then you would begin to know the wonder and adventure of living in me."
(p. 137)

On Judging Another

"Judging requires that you think yourself superior over the one you judge."

"What right did he have to judge anyone? ... All his judgments had been superficial, based on appearance and actions, things easily interpreted by whatever state of mind or prejudice that supported the need to exalt himself, or to feel safe, or to belong." (pp. 159-160)

I believe in Angels

"Relationships are never about power, and one way to avoid the will to power is to choose to limit oneself - to serve. Humans often do this - in touching the infirm and sick, in serving the ones whose minds have left to wander, in relating to the poor, in loving the very old and the very young, or even in caring for the other who has assumed a position of power over them." (p. 107)

Let the waters run...

"It's okay honey, you can let it all out... I know you've been hurt, and I know you're angry and confused. So go ahead and let it out. It does a soul good to let the waters run once in a while - the healing waters." (p. 83)

Everything...is connected to me

"Rather than a pyramid, I want to be the center of a mobile, where everything in your life - your friends, family, occupation, thoughts, activities - is connected to me but moves with the wind, in and out and back and forth, in an incredible dance of being." (p. 207)

Power in Love and Forgiveness

"I want to help you take on that nature that finds more power in love and forgiveness than hate." (p. 225)

It's a process honey

"Take the risks of honesty. When you mess up again, ask for forgiveness again. It's a process, honey, and life is real enough without having to be obscured by lies. And remember, I am bigger than your lies. I can work beyond them. But that doesn't make them right and doesn't stop the damage they do or the hurt they cause others. " (p. 188)

This was not his doing!

"Is that who your God is, Mackenzie? It is no wonder you are drowning in your sorrow. Papa isn't like that, Mackenzie. She's not punishing you, or Missy, or Nan. This was not his doing."

"But he didn't stop it."

"No, he didn't. He doesn't stop a lot of things that cause him pain. Your world is severely broken. You demanded your independence, and now you are angry with the one who loved you enough to give it to you.

(p. 164)