Unbound

He gave me breath.  I took it for granted.  

He bore my burdens.  I took them back.  Couldn’t be bothered by Grace.

He opened his arms.  I shook my head “no”

Yet, he never let me go.

I found myself struggling and struggling with God.  When he NEVER fought with me.  

He only stood fighting for me… against the “rulers, authorities, powers of this dark world” (Eph. 6:12)

I found myself bound tight to the pain and suffering of a young boy.  

He released my pain - even as I grasped desperately for that same pain.

He gave me healing.  I found ways to damage myself over and over again.

He gave His Son.  I walked away.

He waited.  Patiently as a father looking longingly for his ‘lost’ son.

I kept running away.  Further and further away.

I showed up.  One day beaten and worn of flesh and spirit. 

He waited still…

“Son, what do you want?”

“I want to live.”

He gave me life.  I inhaled it as quickly as I could.

He wiped my slate clean.  I lay shivering on the floor.

He bent down.  I reached out to take his hand.

He showed me Love. I am unbound.

I am His.

03/23/23

clc

~ Peace

The Burtle

...to see the face of God

“And remember

The truth that once was spoken

To love another person

Is to see the face of God”

~ from Epilogue of Les Miserables 

It’s such a powerful moment; when you realize that you’re not alone; that there is something, someone, some being so much bigger surrounding you and wrapping around you in that crazy emotion/devotion that we call love.  And it changes everything.

I don’t need you to believe in God.  That’s up to you.  I look at my kids, those I’m close to and realize there is something bigger out there than just me.  There is love.  And I’ve learned over the last couple of years that there is nothing greater.  Accomplishment, power, fame, finance… they all pale when compared to a single moment shared with someone special; shared with those we hold dearest.  With those we love.  To a life lived out of Love.

And for me, the whole book, the Bible is really summed up in four letters…

L O V E

Love God

Love Myself

Love Others

“…and the greatest of these is love”

1 Corinthians 13:13

~ Peace

The Burtle

“Come with me

Where chains will never bind you

All your grief

At last, at last behind you

Lord in Heaven

Look down on him in mercy

Forgive me all my trespasses

And take me to your glory

Take my hand

I'll lead you to salvation

Take my love

For love is everlasting

And remember

The truth that once was spoken

To love another person

Is to see the face of God”

~ from Epilogue of Les Miserables