The Miracle of Love

"The beginning of the miracle of love: [is] being open to another, guards down, and - no questions asked, no demands, no judgments - being respected, received, affirmed, and blessed. To show oneself as the person we are - wounded, blemished, hurting, longing - and to feel welcomed and accepted is to experience grace." (James H. Othuis, The Beautiful Risk, p. 207)