One day a while back I was struck by the notion of wanting to “learn love.” I’d hit a wall with my teenage daughter who was struggling with her mental health and the love I was giving her wasn’t enough. The pain of this situation drew me towards my own transformation. And what a gift it was.
Growing up in dysfunctional love, I made up what love should be.
The kind of love I was giving and receiving felt shallow and superficial. It felt weak rather than strong. It was losing too much of myself rather than empowering.
As I began to explore what love is I began to learn its messiness. The courage and vulnerability it takes to truly love with kindness, mercy, and compassion. To crack open my heart to the lovable but also unlovable. The veil was lifted to see the reality of humanity that we are ALL held beloved by our Creator.
I guess I matured in understanding that life is paradoxical. Seeing that each of us has two sides. We all are composed of good and bad, evil and righteousness. We feel hope and fear. Life demands that we choose and be responsible for our choices.
By choosing love and hope, we will always be turning our will and lives over to the care of God. This is true love.
Lord, watch over all of us, and help me to not just find hope and love, but to be a living example of hope and love.
Smitten With Goodness 