Henri Nouwen was a priest and a brilliant teacher at places like Harvard and Yale. Feeling led by God, he spent the last decade of his life living in a community of people with severe emotional, mental, and physical disabilities. It was an enormously healing time for him. In one of his many books, Henri tells a story about Trevor, a man with severe mental and emotional
challenges who was sent by Henri's community to a psychiatric facility for evaluation.
Henri wanted to see him, so he called the hospital to arrange a visit. When those in authority found out that Henri Nouwen was coming, they asked if they could have a lunch with him in the Golden Room-a special meeting room at the facility. They would also invite doctors and clergy people to the special luncheon. Henri
agreed.
When Henri arrived, they took him to the Golden Room, but Trevor was nowhere to be seen. Troubled, Henri asked about Trevor's whereabouts. "Trevor cannot come to lunch," he was told. "Patients and staff are not allowed to have lunch together. Plus, no patient has ever had lunch in the Golden
Room."
By nature, Henri was not a confrontational person. He was a meek man. But being guided by the Spirit, here is the thought that came to Henri's mind: Include Trevor. Knowing that community is about inclusion, Henri thought, Trevor ought to be here. So Henri turned to the person in authority and said, "But the whole purpose of my coming was to have lunch with Trevor. If
Trevor is not allowed to attend the lunch, I will not attend either."
The thought of missing an opportunity for lunch with Henri Nouwen was too much. They soon found a way for Trevor to attend.
What an amazing story of someone standing up for what is right and good. God doesn't call us to be confrontational for the sake of confrontation, but He does call for us to meekly stand for what we believe He would have use to do.