Friday, September 15, 2006

Deep Well of Love

"We are often unaware of the deep well, the sanctuary of love, within us, and our capacity to love with the very love of God. We may in fact be frightened of this loving tenderness that we sense rising within us because we see it as weakness." Jean Vanier (John's hero).

Sometimes my love feels like weakness. I feel silly for crying, because when someone is hungry or grieving, what good do my tears do? But my tears come from a deep well of love that God continually puts in my heart for others. My love causes me great pain, because I feel that I always want to do more. When I visit someone who has had both legs amputated, or is on their deathbed, or who doesn't know how to pay for their hospital bills, or who is grieving their son, my prayer or my song or my few dollars or my tears seem so insufficient. But I wouldn't trade the pain of loving for anything, because it accompanies great joy - in sharing in the life and suffering and joy of others.

There is so much death and pain, but there is also hope. Last night I got to hold a 9 day old baby. She was adorable, and it did my heart good to literally hold new life. I have a persistent, unrelenting belief that there is always hope. God is good.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Rochelle,

Thank you so much for sharing your heart. It always encourages and inspires - the Love that you share is the Love of Christ. That is our authentic Father.

Much love and prayers,
Pete and Marnie

Anonymous said...

Rochelle

Something we discussed in our house group last week was Psalm 56:8 in which David says of the Lord "you ... put my tears in your bottle." Apparently it was the practice to collect the tears of those who mourned as a mark of the respect those who had died were held in.

Tears are never wasted!

God bless,
Graeme

Agent of Renewal said...

Ah tears - good company with Jesus, Paul, the psalmist, Jeremiah.

Richard Foster's amazing book on Prayer spends a chapter on the "gift of tears" - the prayer of tears. Some hearts long to get there but are working on it, it comes harder for some.

Blessed are they that mourn.

dad

sixonefour said...

I just really esteem you guys in the Lord. Yup, I really like you and am glad in the Lord for you both. Greathearts.
Heather