To love others well, we need fill our own emptiness with divine love that never ends. Agape love is unconditional. Agape is the kind of love God feels for us even when we don’t feel it ourselves.
As Anne Lamott described it:
โYou were loved because God loves, period. God loved you, and everyone, not because you believed in certain things, but because you were a mess, and lonely, and His or Her child. God loved you no matter how crazy you felt on the inside, no matter what a fake you were; always, even in your current condition, even before coffee. God loves you crazily, like I love you…like a slightly overweight auntie, who sees only your marvelousness and need.โ
I remember feeling that love in church 17 years ago during one of the worst periods of my life. I was a mess. Loneliness and grief had driven me to things that make me shudder, now. But God still loved me anyway.
I looked up at the Good Shepherd in the stained-glass window as he cradled the lamb in his arm. At that moment, love settled upon me, tangible love, as if someone had come behind me and gently wrapped a soft blanket around my shoulders.
Trust the Timing
God never left me. When I was lost, The Good Shepherd came to find me as in this beautiful song from Red Letters:
~
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February 22, 2018 at 9:31 am
Beautiful words JoAnna, the Song is new to me.. And so apt… God knows us inside out.. And when we trust we receive.. ๐๐๐
February 22, 2018 at 11:14 am
You got it, Sue! โค โค ๐
February 23, 2018 at 6:37 am
โค
February 22, 2018 at 9:55 am
Dear JoAnna. This is so precious. A very uplifting, heartwarming and well written story.
February 22, 2018 at 11:16 am
Thank you, Isabella! I’m glad you found it so. I wasn’t sure if the sections of this post meshed together well. But God must have had a hand in this. ๐
February 23, 2018 at 2:15 am
Yes, I absolutely think he didโก โก.
February 22, 2018 at 10:29 am
It kind of reminds me of me, but I love the way you put it. It is simply elegant and beautiful. Love it!
February 22, 2018 at 11:51 am
Thank you so much for this lovely compliment. I’m glad you could relate. ๐
February 22, 2018 at 11:42 am
โโ๐๐
February 22, 2018 at 12:07 pm
Thanks. ๐
February 22, 2018 at 1:47 pm
Wonderful! A huge smile and a hug; it feels good to be loved! I like the way you composed this post with Anne Lamott’s quote, with your book’s quote, and your personal experience with God and feeling loved with all that tangibility and presence of his touch.
February 22, 2018 at 10:51 pm
Thanks, Ka. I’m happy to know it worked. God definitely had a hand in this one. Smiles and hugs heading your way! ๐
February 22, 2018 at 6:36 pm
This is a beautiful post, JoAnna.
February 23, 2018 at 11:08 am
Thank you, Dan!
February 23, 2018 at 5:13 am
Lovely and wonderful news is always good to hear and receive, JoAnna. โค๏ธ Very meaningful, too! Smiles, Robin ๐๏ธ
February 23, 2018 at 8:57 pm
Thank you, Robin! ๐
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February 26, 2018 at 10:02 pm
Thank you!