Love

Today we celebrate love. All kinds of love! I used to think Valentine's Day was too cheesy, because I thought you should celebrate the people you love EVERY day, not just once a year. But now, I enjoy this celebration of love. It's a wonderful day (and reminder) to lavish love on those you love, and accept it too! And for me, it's a reminder of the greatest love story of all...The Cross...and a day to spend with my First Love and the One who claims my heart! I found this Valentine's Day, that I was led to a different Scripture, than the usual 1 Corinthians love verses. I began reading in Luke 15, the story of the Prodigal Son.

"But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. The son said to him, Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. But the father said to his servants, 'Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' So they began to celebrate."

compassion. kisses. worthiness. feasts. celebrations. alive! I was reminded by this story, of the unrelenting, overwhelming love our Father gives us. All the time. He loves us! And it's a perfect and real love, with kisses and hugs and cleebrations! :) unconditional. I know it's hard to believe sometimes..when sin creeps in and we think we need to be good enough to deserve His love. Thank God His love is based on Him, not on us! And it's perfect and true!

Today, my Father lavished His love on me in many ways...from emails from old, old friends. :) And smiles from beautiful children. and prayers with a grieving family. And the hope of a new adoption! and the most amazing African sunset! My class and I were also privileged to visit my friend, John Bosco's school in the village today, and have praise and worship with them! So fun to see love in action and alive!  My kids were alive with love! Singing praise songs in three languages, and teaching and writing, Jesus Loves You in the different voices. Imana Ira gukunda! :) Yesu anapenda! Beautiful!

Whether or not you think you deserve it today or not...He is waiting for you to come home! And waiting to give you a giant hug and kiss! Forgiveness is love in action. He has forgiven us, so that we may also forgive others. One of my favorite quotes from Henri Nouwen...

“Forgiveness is the name of love practiced among people who love poorly. The hard truth is that all people love poorly. We need to forgive and be forgiven every day, every hour increasinly. That is the great work of love among the fellowship of the weak that is the human family.” 

Abba Father...

Your love is Deep, Your love is high
Your love is long, your love is wide.

Your love is deeper than my view of grace
Higher than this wordly place
Longer than this road i travel
Wider than the gap you've filled.

Who shall separate Us? Who shall separate us from your love?
Nothing can separate us from the love of Jesus.
Nothing can separate us from your love.