I Am love, God tells her ...

Good Tuesday morning, my friends.

Last week I turned the page on another year.  I want to share with you one of the most beautiful gifts I have ever received.  My lovely daughter, Mary Kate, wrote me this poem:

For my Daddy

A young girl 

Hearing the whispers of life around her 

Wonders what love is. 

She asks her teachers about love 

Love like the math you're working on, they tell her 

Follow the rules 

Fit onto the page 

Learn new things about the world around you from what you find in the numbers 

But what if my love doesn't fit on the page? The young girl asks 

The teachers have no reply.

A teenage girl

Hearing the chatter of life around her

Wonders what love is

She asks society about love

Love like the child with a new toy, they tell her

Full of excitement

Bright colours and pretty looks

Possessive and happy

But don't children grow up, and leave their toys behind? The teenage girl asks.

Society has no reply.

An elderly woman

Deafened by the roar of life around her

Wonders what love is

She asks God about love

I Am love, God tells her

Love never fails

Patient and kind

Always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres

Do you love me? The young girl asks

And her Father smiles

Forever and ever, is His reply.

My completely unbiased opinion is that this is amazing!  I love how she crafts her words and phrases ("An elderly woman, deafened by the roar of life around her") and I love the way she has drawn a picture using the phases of life.  I also  love the faith-affirming, warm-your-heart way she uses the words of 1 Corinthians 13.  And I pray you are blessed by her masterpiece as well.

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

Bruce

Lord,

Because love is patient…

Help us to be slow to judge others, but always quick to listen. 

Make us hesitant to criticize, but always eager to encourage, remembering your endless patience with us. 

Because love is kind… 

Help our words to be gentle on those we meet  and our actions to be thoughtful.   Remind us to smile and to show courtesy to friends, to strangers to  say "Please" and "Thank You" because those little things often mean so much. 

Because love does not envy or boast, and it is not proud… 

Help us to have heart's which are humble and which always look for the good in others.  May we celebrate and appreciate all that we have, and all that we are, and be ready to share what we have with those around us.

Because love is not rude or self-seeking… 

Help us to speak words that are easy on the ear and on the heart. When we are tempted to get wrapped up in our own little world, help us to remember the vastness of the world around us with still so many needs, hurts and conflicts.

Because love is not easily angered and keeps no record of wrongs… 

Help us to forgive others as you forgive us.  When we hold onto a grudge, gently help us to release it so that we can reach out instead with a hand of love and friendship.

Because love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth…

Help us to stand up for what is right and good. May we defend the defenseless, and help the helpless. Show us all how we can make a real difference to the lives of others, however small or insignificant this may sometimes seem. 

Because love always protects and always trusts… 

Help us to be strong and a refuge for those around us . When the world outside is harsh and cold, may our hearts always be open, a place of acceptance and warmth. May we always strive to help those who are sick, lost lonely or in despair.

Finally, because love always hopes always perseveres… 

Help us to see each new day as an opportunity to give ourselves to your service. Help our hearts to always beat with love for you and others and we think especially of those we love but see no longer and we remember that Jesus Christ is the Light of the World, a light which no darkness can quench.

In Jesus precious name we pray.  Amen.

 

(Adapted from http://www.thisischurch.com/prayer_worship/intercession/valentinesundayprayers2010.html)

Bruce MacPherson  macpherson@celtic.ca / Blog: The Celtic Christian / Home: 613.489.4174 Cell: 613.720.0821 You are receiving this email because you have requested it or I felt you would be interested in this material. If you would like to be removed from this email list, please do not hesitate to contact me at the above email address.  Likewise, if you know of someone else who you believe would appreciate receiving these messages, please let me know.