from Emotionally Healthy Spirituality by Geri and Peter Scazzero

The goal of the Christian life is to love well.  Jesus was aware that true spirituality included not only loving God, but also the skill of loving others maturely.

Growing into an emotionally mature Christian  person includes experiencing each individual, including myself, as sacred, or as Martin Buber put it, as a "Thou" rather than an "It."  Becoming emotionally mature requires learning, practicing, and integrating such skills as speaking respectfully, listening with empathy, negotiating conflict fairly and uncovering the hidden expectations I have of others . . . . to name just a few.