He loves me, He loves me not...

Love, one of the most used words. That’s how I was hoping to start this letter but Google begs to differ. The most used word is actually the, and and follows close behind. You’d think the greatest command would feature in our vocabulary more often. When is the last time you told someone you loved them? Someone who is not a close friend or relative. Like “I love you, man on the street I’ve never met before” sounds pretty strange huh. “I love you” has become such a golden phrase that is used on only the chosen few. Love may not be the most used word but I can bet it’s one of the most abused words. Its distortion has led to almost complete avoidance of its use in some of our lives.

Another of my plans was to write about love in February about the mushiness of love and highlight strongly the absence of a bae but focus on a greater love; the love of God. But by now, mid-September or late December or one of those months way after Feb (welcome to 2020), I should have known plans are good to make but they are no assurance of anything happening. Even the good book says “a man plans in His heart but the Lord’s purpose prevails” So here I am, letting it prevail.

What is love? Someone once told me it’s a choice. Some say it’s a four letter word, thank you for that. Some say it’s a feeling. Others it is a cross on Calvary hill, a mother’s hug, an across the state gift. Some say “it’s none of the above but a mystery to remain unsolved” and there are those that say “maybe it’s a bit of everything.” I write mainly because with all these forms of love, still so many of us feel unloved. It’s crazy really that we sometimes wake up and feel like nobody loves us. That is unbelievable, yet true. True for me not so long ago , whining cause somebody’s son did not respond to my text message (Lord have mercy) or because I got all dolled up only for dad to ask “is that what you’re wearing”… or there was a party with all my friends that I accidentally found out about . (Cue in black eyed peas where is the love)

The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying: "I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness. Jeremiah 31:3 NIV

You are loved. That is a fact. It is truth and truth is absolute, it cannot be changed. Opinions and other beliefs may challenge it but the very nature of truth is that it stays the same. Which is the same about God and His love for us; never changing. I can’t promise that that guys ambiguous text means that He loves you or that your parents showing up for all your events is love or me praying about what to share with you is love but you are loved, by God. He loves you through all of us in some way and in every way through His word and in His presence.

Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Mathew 22:37-40.

There is no direct command of us being loved but it is because if I loved you and you loved me , that makes it go full circle . But I don’t want to love you or be loved by you or at least not that way. We have our set of rules for how we receive love and from who. The rule is simple as you love yourself. But first love God. Why, if you love God, mind heart soul. He reveals you to you then you start to love you. To love you well, with the love of God and when you love you with the love of God, you can love the other people with the love of God. Full circle. Keeping in mind that we do not love so that the love is reciprocated. Yes we do need love as we are created from love, by love and for love. However, we are already loved, so we let that love overflow to others. In the words of Kirk Franklin “The love we need He already gave”

“Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,” Says the Lord, who has compassion on you. Isaiah 54:10

What we do is not a prerequisite for God’s love. He loves us because He chooses us and chooses to love us. For who we are and sometimes in spite of what we do/ who we choose to be . To him we are who He says we are; His beloved! So Elizabeth, even when the last petal says he loves you not ... remember someone loves you unconditionally. It may still sting but I promise you that as you continue to experience God's love ... it stings a whole lot less and heals way faster. Let this be your focus ... His love ... His promise ... His nature. I believe that’s why Paul insists that we focus on Him because the more we focus on the world, we get caught up and we eat up all its lies. But when we spend time in God we are filled with truth and with it comes a light and with light comes hope and we know that hope does not disappoint.

“And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39 NIV

Isn’t that good news. Unfortunately it’s isn’t good enough for most of us but it can be and should be. His love covers for all. It is great, it is unchanging, and it is relentless. I am learning to accept his love and share it as best as I can. I pray that you can too and that this encourages you, Elizabeth, because it has me. I still want to get my texts replied and I don’t want people bailing out on me. I still hope my friends and family take account of my achievements, and growth but the lack of it will not rob me of peace or joy. My true peace will come from knowing God loves me and that His love is better than life itself and all its components.

“Because your love is greater than life itself, my lips will glorify you”. Psalms 63:1

He loves you, He loves you a lot !!!

Ps. This is not a blog, it’s my letter to you.

Love, Mary :)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R6KQeBOIKX8