Monday, June 1
I have loved you with an everlasting love.
—Jeremiah 31:3
receiving love. "In fact,"he said, "They often demand it." Yet, as we
grow and mature it seems that our ability to feel and act "lovable"
diminishes.
It is as if we build a protective wall around
ourselves because we have been hurt or disappointed by love. The
wall may serve as
a barrier against pain and betrayal, but it is also an
obstacle to the
movement of warmth and belonging that taps at the edge of
our being hoping for entrance.
Children, on the other hand, have
heard the tapping and have flung open the doors. When love
sashays through, their eyes light up, they reach up their arms, and smiles
of pure enjoyment spread across their faces.
Imagine how we might understand
ourselves differently if we acted as if we were lovable—
so lovable that God wants to love us forever. It might
feel like Spring had just burst into dark Winter. It might feel
like cool water on a hot summer day. It might feel like heaven
had touched our feet. We might find our souls plumping up and our arms
reaching high.
Gracious God, when my heart closes for fear, open my soul with the touch of your love.
