" One student prays: When I speak to you I strongly suspect that You aren’t “out there” now and never were. I have lost You and I feel better for it because You diminished me and wouldn’t let me be myself. I always felt I had to consider what You wanted me to do, what image or state of perfection You demanded. Since the time of our separation I’ve grown more selfish. I’m concerned a lot with myself, with my own development as a human being. I suppose I still want to be perfect, but not for my own sake, nor to please You. What matters now are the others. "
― Henri J.M. Nouwen , The Spiritual Life: Eight Essential Titles by Henri Nouwen