What makes us Somebodies?

When we enter into solitude to be alone with God,
we quickly discover how dependent we are.
Without the many distractions of our daily lives,
we feel anxious and tense.
When nobody speaks to us,
calls on us,
or needs our help,
we start feeling like nobodies.
Then we begin wondering whether we are
useful, valuable, or significant.
Our tendency is to leave this fearful solitude quickly
and get busy again to reassure ourselves that we are
'somebodies'.
But that is a temptation,
because what makes us somebodies
is not other people's responses to us
but God's eternal love for us."

To claim the truth of ourselves
we have to cling to our God in solitude
as to the One who makes us who we are.

Henri Nouwen