"On the whole, I do not find Christians, outside of the catacombs, sufficiently sensible of conditions. Does anyone have the foggiest idea what sort of power we so blithely invoke? Or, as I suspect, does not one believe a word of it? The churches are children playing on the floor with their chemistry sets, making up a batch of TNT to kill a Sunday morning. It is madness to wear ladies hats and straw hats and velvet hats to church; we should all be wearing crash helmets. Ushers should issue life preservers and signal flares; they should lash us to our pews. For the sleeping god may wake someday and take offense, or the waking god may draw us out to where we can never return." - Annie Dillard, Teaching a Stone to Talk

Monday, February 13, 2012

Love Life

There is a scene out of the movie, "Under the Tuscan Sun" that captures the essence of Valentine's Day for me. The main character (played by Diane Lane) decides to travel to Italy when her marriage falls apart in the States. While on this trip, she decides to purchase an Italian Villa and restore it. Though the task proves to be daunting, she becomes part of the community around her and begins to heal from past hurts. While there, her best friend in the States unexpectedly comes to see her, heartbroken over a recent break up and pregnant with her first child. Upon seeing Diane Lane's character busy with house renovations and a new relationship, she asks, "Are you sure that it is okay for me to stay here with you? I don't want to ruin your love life." Diane's character responds, "Honey, you ARE my LOVE life."

Today is about celebrating my love life-the family and friends who make my life beautiful and valuable. I already have an abundance of love. Right in this moment. I have all that I need for fulfilling, enriching relationships. I have listening ears that celebrate my joys and wise mouths that raise me out of despair. I have standing date nights with friends when I am lonely and long-distance prayer partners that help me to seek God wholeheartedly. I have family members that stick by me, through thick and thin, and co-workers who seek to spread love to others in need. Everywhere I look, there is love.

Before I was born, however, a higher, more perfect love was waiting for me-in Christ. Unconditional love is mine. There is no where I can go to escape this love and nothing that I can do to earn it. This love IS. I embrace it today and I return this love, imperfectly, back to Christ and to those around me. I am grateful and honored to be blessed with such a love as this.

This love is not only mine for the taking. It is yours as well. Take time to thank those that enhance your love life today. Whether single, married, divorced, old, young, your love life is HERE and rich with promise. Look around you and be grateful. You have LOVE.
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