Live in the wisdom of accepted tenderness. Tenderness awakens within the security of knowing we are thoroughly and sincerely liked by someone... Scripture suggests that the essence of the divine nature is compassion and that the heart of God is defined by tenderness.

Brennan Manning
About This Quote

Live in the wisdom of accepted tenderness. Tenderness awakens within the security of knowing we are thoroughly and sincerely liked by someone. This is the nature of God. The word compassion, which is used in this quote, comes from the Latin word "compassionem." Compassion is a feeling that originates within the security of knowing that someone likes us.

Love itself is not an emotion that can be tasted or felt, but it can be observed. To love means to accept what another person is without judgment. It means to respect another person’s dignity so long as they are being themselves.

It also means to see another person as valuable, even if they are behaving in a way that you yourself would never do. Because God is love, He deeply cares about others even when they are hurting themselves.

Source: Abbas Child: The Cry Of The Heart For Intimate Belonging

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More Quotes By Brennan Manning
  1. Define yourself radically as one beloved by God. This is the true self. Every other identity is illusion.
  2. The story goes that a public sinner was excommunicated and forbidden entry to the church. He took his woes to God. 'They won't let me in, Lord, because I am a sinner.'' What are you complaining about?' said God. 'They won't let Me in either.
  3. We unwittingly project onto God our own attitudes and feelings toward ourselves... But we cannot assume that He feels about us the way we feel about ourselves -- unless we love ourselves compassionately, intensely, and freely.
  4. Imagine that Jesus is calling you today. He extends a second invitation to accept His Father's love. And maybe you answer, "Oh, I know that. It's old hat." And God answers, 'No, that's what you don't know. <span style="margin:15px; display:block"></span>You don't know how much I...
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