Wittingly or unwittingly, the empathy, compassion, and unconditional acceptance of other drunks give me a glimpse of the unflinching love of the Abba of Jesus, who cannot despise.

The sharing of healthy guilt is purgative and cathartic, introduces objectivity, banishes self-hatred, and becomes the occasion of gracious encounter with the merciful love of the redeeming God.

Brennan Manning, A Glimpse of Jesus