After last week’s post about the various forms of love and choosing myself as my own Valentine, a friend sent me this scripture from 1 John 4:12.
No one has seen God at any time. If we continue loving one another, God remains in us and his love is made perfect in us.
My friend is a follower of the late John Shelby Spong, an American Episcopalian bishop who called for Christianity to evolve. He spoke and wrote at length about how Jesus’ call to love one another must look different – and kinder – than it did two thousand years ago.
Love, in all its beautiful forms, is the basis of my own faith, for whatever it is.
I have struggled with my conception of God, but I have always believed in the power of love. I can remember my father telling me that I needed to look out for myself – that the world is a dog-eat-dog kind of place.
I didn’t believe it entirely then, nor do I now. While many of us fight to claim whatever scraps we can from life, I have found deep joy in loving others. Sure, I love my husband and my kids, but I believe in acting from love the best I can in all my interactions.
A couple summers ago I took a scenic train ride. It was a very slow-moving train, and at one point we came across a man emerging from the lake. He was likely homeless – his wild hair and beard slightly tamed by the wet water, and his raggedy clothes gray and worn. I could not speak with him nor offer him relief, but could still share a moment of love and kindness. I did not avert my gaze, but looked him in the eye and smiled at him with warmth in my heart. He responded with a grin himself, and a twinkle in his eye.
That moment is seared in my memory. In the brief period where I was homeless I was not able to look people in the eye, nor did they often see me. I felt invisible and ashamed. What would a kind smile have meant to me? Connection. Belonging. Humanity. Hope. LOVE.
Valentine’s Day is over, but today I will carry love in me, to be shared with others. As I give and I receive, the love of the Universe grows, perhaps infinitely. As they say, may God be with you.
I am learning about “Love Languages” currently. It is helping me see that there is a lot more love around me than I may know. I am also understanding that love cannot be put in a box or made by a checklist of expectations either. In truth, if we all just stopped searching for what we wanted, and instead learned to be content and grateful for what we had- we would have a lot more love in this world. No doubt. Thanks for sharing! Love you!