Humility, Grace, Thankfulness

I just don't know what to say about the recent shootings in Connecticut. The lives of 27 more people were cut short. 20 of them innocent young children.

What a wretched world we live in. I feel so badly for the parents and families. To have a child snatched away in such a bloody unnatural way and such evil circimstances. It makes anything I might be going through look pretty minimal. It really makes me think.

Sure, I can talk about love or lost love or emptiness or whatever else, but in the end... wow. I'm just so humbled.

Repeatedly lately the verse has come to mind. I've received cards with the verse on it. I open the bible and there it is. I see it surfing around the internet. I keep 'stumbling' on this verse over and over. It must be significant.

It's all about Love. Love isn't selfish. Not true love. Though I realize we in our temporal flesh aren't capable of perfect Love.  Of course we aren't. The flesh too often gets in the way. Pride, envy, etc, all get in the way.

True love never boasts. It's humble. It "vaunteth not itself." It is not selfish, puffed up or proud. It's is patience and long suffering. Love is like a seed and it should grow and grow. Be watered and nurtured. It spreads. It is contagious. When we love, our ability to love increases. It doesn't diminish. When we ARE loved, likewise, we then are empowered to love in turn. It's better to give than to receive. Greater to love than be loved.

If I keep coming across this verse again and again... yes, I believe I must cling to it. Take it into my heart. Remember it. Live by it, the best I can in, while in this puny human form. 

Love. And love that is full of Grace. That is my goal. In the end, that's all there is. That's all that is worth anything. And I am humbled to have had whatever measure of it I have had in this life.

I could focus on what's lost or gone or passed on or what I can't presently see or hear or feel as readily as I could before. I could focus on childhood pains and losses or people from my past, but what's the point really? I know I was loved. Yet at times I doubted or became afraid. My goal now however is to remember that in whatever measure, large or small, by one or a multitude, I must be humble and thankful for every single drop and morsel.

Yes I was loved. I AM loved. Healed by it, built up by it, chastened by it, wizened by it, made strong and bless through it. I am thankful for love. I am humbled by love. Glorious wondrous love.