Valentine’s Day
On Valentines Day my thoughts, of course, turned to love. I decided I would use this day to endeavour to notice the reflection of God’s love in my day. It was a wonderful day! This writing would be too long if I told you all that I noticed but I will share of few wonders. I awoke to cloudy weather but there was a lovely strip of blue sky that reminded me of God’s love in the midst of grey. I saw the persistent purple winter pansies that had made it through the cold frosts and snow. I recognized the image of God in a mom whose face literally shone with love as she talked about her children. I stopped in at the florists and smelled the wonderful scents of the valentine flowers and experienced the excitement and smiles of the patrons as they made their purchases of gifts they would soon be giving in love. I recognized the enlivenment and love in creativity, as I saw the face and heard the excitement of someone who had found meaningful work. I recognized the love connection of the pokes and giggles of the children in my waiting room. I heard the extreme pain of the loss of love in a crises call and was reminded how we are created for love. I saw a squirrel wildly and freely jump from a branch to a feeder in search of food. He looked as if he were having fun. I wished I took the time to see love in my world in this way, everyday. I was reminded of a poem by Meister Eckhart (1260-1328) found in Love Poems from God, by Daniel Ladinsky.
Love Does That
All day long a little burro labors, sometimes
With heavy loads on her back and sometimes just with worries
about things that bother only
burros.
And worries, as we know, can be more exhausting
than physical labor.
Once in a while a kind monk comes
To her stable and brings
A pear, but more
than that,
he looks into the burro’s eyes and touches her ears
and for a few seconds the burro is free
and even seems to laugh,
because love does
that.
Love frees.
May you find freedom in the touch of God’s love in your life today.
