Hello
Today’s Holy Nougat really is critical for each of us.
“This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you.”
John 15:12 NLT
But what if the person that we have failed to love is ourselves? What then? Because there are wayyyyyyyy too many of us who have been fed that lie by the enemy of our souls.
Parents compare us, call names, ignore us and soon we buy into the inaccuracy that we’re not loveable. Teachers speak over us – directly or indirectly – by extending or withholding praise, choosing favorites, and failing to acknowledge us in subtle and often painful ways. Friends (and foes and former friends) disappoint us and somehow it becomes ‘our fault’; whether implicitly, explicitly or assumed. Loved ones, or maybe popular ones fail to choose us any longer; and all too soon it’s internalized. Society defines the centers and the margins through subliminal messages of beauty and self-worth – via social media, advertising, s/election of leaders, naming processes, ‘role models’ and selection of icons; and all too soon; we’ve been convicted that we’re not worthy of Love.
And if we bought into any of those lies, we have failed to see the awesomeness that is us!
For God assures us that NOTHING can destroy God’s love for us. Nor can anyone take or diminish God’s love. You see, EACH ONE OF US is God’s Masterpiece; exquisitely created, painstakingly designed as another wonderful gift in creation. And even the worst of us has a distinctive and unique element which we can love in our selves.
I challenge us to ask God to redeem the unloveable parts and help us see each part of us radiating God’s glory and pulling us back into undiluted, untainted Love for all we are created and called to be. (We might not be there yet, but we are on the way; and that’s what matters!)
Then; having learned (rather while learning) how to love us – and that includes caring for ourselves body, mind and spirit – let us apply the same to others and especially to God. For God is where it all begins and others may need to experience the wonder of being loved simply because we are God’s masterpiece.
I love me I love you and I love God too
Good morning
In Christ’s love and grace . . .
