Reflection
Reflection on Paul Coutinho’s ’ Book
Just As You Are
By: Maureen Schlitt, October 26, 2009
From the title of the book and throughout the book, Paul Coutinho challenged me once again to accept myself as God accepts me “just as I am.” He writes about believing in the love God has for us, and letting go of the negative self-image we might have of ourselves as well as other negative thinking. Paul writes about our relationship with God as a love relationship, similar to what the mystics teach us. The one point that stood out for me the most was this idea of encountering God instead of finding God. The point he makes is letting go of our own control and just experiencing how God is already finding us; how God is initiating a romance with us. This book really affirms me in the ministry of spiritual direction. It helps me to help others let go of negative thinking that prevents us from encountering God in every part of our lives; noticing how God is moving in a love relationship with them and with me.
May you be blessed in your ministry of listening to others!
