The Daughter

The Daughter was on the couch wrapped in her favorite blanket holding an untouched chai latte while His book laid open on her lap.

How did this work? She’s been pondering it for days and still couldn’t understand. Actually, she had been pondering it for months, even years but the past few days it had been a focal point.

It was that time of year when thoughts of love were bittersweet. Her memories made her smile but they were all of the past and there would be no new ones. No new experiences together to make her heart sing. No surprise gifts, no secrets shared, no future to dream about. But that wasn’t really where her focus had been lately.

The Daughter looked once again at His book. It was this love she was struggling with. This love she didn’t understand. How, when she was so imperfect, could He promise a love that will never fail? Why would He make such a promise? Yet even that wasn’t what truly caused her wonderings.

Taking a sip of the latte and stroking the cat who had joined her on the couch, she pondered the idea that there was nothing she could do to add to that love. He would love her even if she didn’t love Him? But she did love Him, which brought on it’s own set of questions. Just as He wouldn’t love her less if she was awful, He wouldn’t love her more if she was perfect. Say what?! If she fulfills all His plans for her or messes up things completely, the depth of love is still the same? If she looses her temper or keeps her cool, is selfless or selfish, works hard or is lazy, His love stays the same? How wonderful! But wait, that means the jerk down the street and the hussy at work are loved as much as she is? For real? Back to square one: how can this be?

His book says this love is for everyone. His book says a price has been paid for everyone to have the love. His book says….oh so many things about His love. Then she realized something. Maybe she was getting it after all! Doing what would please Him was a way for her to say thanks for His love! Every act of obedience, kindness or giving was like saying, ‘I love you’! While the jerk down the street or the hussy at the office may very well be loved, if they don’t acknowledge the love or ever find joy in expressing love for Him, they lose the benefits of being loved at all. She wasn’t trying to rack up points, she was expressing love! Racking up points was unnecessary!

Maybe one kind of love was no longer in her life, but love wasn’t all together lost. While missing the love of her Handsome, the Daughter was overwhelmed by a Love that was truly unconditional and found pleasure in the gifts she could give.

John 3:16
Hebrews 13:5
Matthew 6:1-4
Psalm 37:23-24

Eric, Seven years is a long time to go without hearing your voice or seeing your smile yet I am forever thankful for the 28 years we had. I can’t wait to see you again and tell you all that has happened but I have a feeling your experiences have been much more exciting than mine! You have my heart; I miss you still. Love goes on.