This Tremendous Lover

This morning I had a run-in with authority in the guise of a friend. I was not prepared and had hoped I would meet a person who cared about me. However, this was not the case. I realise they have a job to do and would see me as a obstacle to discipline. Perhaps, perhaps not, yet I felt sad that this was all the communication we had.

I can feel sorry for myself, or I can look at the face of Christ. He meets us everyday with an open heart, inviting us to share in His love for us, to be part of who He is, Love itself.

And, how do we respond? How do we treat Him? Are we grateful for His interest and love for us?

Perhaps, perhaps not. We are human and imperfect and often fail to respond to love, even when we recognise and believe that we are loved. Yet, all is forgiven and each day we receive a chance to start again and respond to this Tremendous Lover!

Happy, Holy Christmas 2008

This is a little greeting to all out there, wishing you a happy, holy Christmas.

It would seem that being happy and being holy go very much together.

Maybe the answer is found in a love for truth. We are not created to suffer. We are created by One who loves us very much and cares for our happiness. God wishes us to be happy souls, so much so that He allowed His Son to be vulnerable on our account.

Christ has come into our world as a fragile, little baby, helpless and dependent on us, to respond to His love for us.

For anyone who truly loves another, the joy of love is tempered with pain. We become vulnerable when we love and open our hearts to others. This is what Christ does for us, each day, always.

He has made us a promise, "I will be with you, always..."

Today, Christmas day, the birth of Christ, would be a good day for us to promise to be with Him, always.

Keep God in your heart!

KIND THOUGHTS

My friend was cold. It occurred to me to lend him warm socks. It was a kind thought and I responded. My friend became warm.
I passed a boy in the street. He was cold. He asked for money. The thought came to mind to treat him to a hot bowl of soup. I didn’t respond. The boy remained cold.
I was busy in work; very busy. A friend needed help; needed a listening ear. I responded. My friend regained peace of mind.

I was shopping. A coloured lady with a baby was selling magazines. It was a wet, cold day. I wondered about her, standing there. I gave a donation. She smiled.
I was worried, seeing problems everywhere. I passed by a Church. The thought came to go in. I did. I relaxed and I prayed. My troubles diminished. I found peace.
Kind thoughts are given to us, perhaps at every moment. We hear them and respond sometimes; sometimes not.
Kind thoughts are magical. When we respond, they change our lives, and our neighbours, for the better.

BY INVITATION ONLY.

A little book, called the Imitation of Christ, contained a picture of the Good Shepherd knocking at a door that could only be opened from the inside. The door symbolised the soul.

Perhaps God is present in our lives, by invitation only. We have been given the gift of free choice, so God holds back, waiting for our invitation. His love for us has such tremendous respect for our free will.

We invite God into our lives by treating his Presence as we would a friend - talking to Him - asking His advice - sharing our joys and our sorrows with Him. God can be closer to us than the person we love most. God, being Love, is found in love.

ALL IS WELL.

For those of us who may experience panic attacks at times, it’s a great thing to pause and pray, and say, ALL IS WELL. It can be as simple as that. All is well, and all our fabricated fears and worries disappear. All is well, and disturbed voices become quiet and calm. All is well, and sanity returns. All is well. and silence grows. Love chases fear away. All is well!

St Julian of Norich was in the habit of saying...

ALL IS WELL ALL IS LOVE!