Does Love Conquer All?

The Bible is filled with the notion that love abides with us and comforts us in all circumstances.  Paul’s letter to the Corinthians (I Cor. 13) is one of the most treasured treatises on the subject.  Used in countless wedding ceremonies, the couple is encouraged to believe that no matter what may come up within their relationship, Love never fails. (Verse 8)  In his letter to the Romans Paul assures us that nothing shall be able to separate us from the love of God (Rom. 8:38,39).

Even with these assurances most of us, at one time or another, feel desperately unloved, uncared for and alone.  Families are the first line of support for most of us.  Our closest friends often provide a back up when it is difficult to find that support at home.  Of course we expect to be there for our loved ones and friends when they need someone to remind them that they are loved.  And we hope they will be there for us.  However, there are still times we will feel there is no one, no way, to recover from whatever it is that causes us to feel helpless or devoid of love.

The darkness that surrounds us at those times of despair is no less frightening and overwhelming than what the disciples of Jesus surely felt on that awesome Friday at his crucifixion.  Can you imagine the sense of loss they were feeling?  Even though He assured them, I am with you always, (Mat. 28:20) they could only see the loss.  Three days later, early in the morning, the sun shone in a new sky as Mary and others approached the tomb where they fully expected to find the body of Jesus. He was not in the tomb.  Now their despair was even deeper.  They could not even prepare his body for burial.  Then Mary turned and saw a person she assumed was the gardener.  It was Jesus!  They could not fully understand what was happening but within their hearts they somehow knew that all was well.

This story we celebrate at Easter is, among other things, the story of the absolute power of love to transcend loss and grief, despair and loneliness.  It is the story of hope and reassurance that regardless of appearances love abides, love transcends all limitation. This is, of course, a religious story.  It is one that has parallels in every major religion.  This might lead us to consider that the principle embedded within the story is something more than myth or legend.  Perhaps if we can find a way to believe there are answers, we will find them.  One thing seems certain to me.  Having even a remote hope is better than the downward cycle of despair that comes from not believing in the ultimate power of love.

I have been in that emotional, personal wasteland.  I have felt that deep despair that would seem to indicate there is no way out of the gloom.  It isn’t a pretty picture, is it?   I am so fortunate to have dear friends who, when all else failed, were there to assure me that I would get through those times.  These friends offered a variety of possibilities, mostly from their own experience in overcoming, but sometimes simply out of their own sense of also being alone.  Together we moved forward on the path. 

If you are feeling down right now, if you feel unloved and overwhelmed and alone, let me offer to be there for you.  I believe in the power of love to lift you, to change the path you are on that seems to be leading nowhere.  Let me assure you that even though fear may seem impossible to overcome, love never fails.  I love you!  The love within me is from an unconquerable Source and I give it all to you.  Take it into your heart.  You are not alone.  Even if you do not know me, even if you just happened to somehow find this blog article, there are no coincidences.  You are here because you are ready to experience the transforming power of love.  Be well, my friends!  Be well!

For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers. nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God . . .

Romans 8:38, 39

The Redistribution of Wealth in the United States

I hope you will take a look at the link following this article.

I know that many of you out there don’t have a lot of time to consider just what is going on in the division of wealth in this country.  After all, if you are getting by on whatever paltry income you have, who cares?

A huge share of the nation's economic growth over the past 30 years has gone to the top one-hundredth of one percent, who now make an average of $27 million per household. The average income for the bottom 90 percent of us? $31,244.

Frankly, I am fed up with the continuing Republican efforts to increase the share of wealth for their big time contributors at the expense of the rest of us.  What is happening in Wisconsin, for example, is the tip of an iceberg which looms before the ship of state and like the Titanic we are just as apt to slip beneath the waters of despair.  I know it is not simply a Republican problem.  Dems have their share of poor philosophical standards.

Over the past weeks there has been so much discouraging news concerning the total lack of fiscal responsibility with our representatives that I am exhausted just thinking about how to bring them all together coherently so they could be understood by everyone. 

I give up on the big picture.  But the details in the attached link will show you a great deal about who has the money and how it is being directed away from the majority of us.  Notice the estimated net worth of your Congressperson.

Check this out from Mother Jones:  http://motherjones.com/politics/2011/02/income-inequality-in-america-chart-graph

Why Did This Happen To Me?

I KNOW you have asked yourself, “Why did this happen to me?”  If you didn’t ask the question for yourself, you have probably wondered why so much bad stuff happens to people you know.  Those of you who read my blog or follow my “Notes” on Facebook will know I have a dear friend who is one of those for whom the question surely can be asked.  In fact, Shawn brought it up herself and in doing so she made light of her circumstances.  I couldn’t help but chuckle about the way she was looking through the pain and fear to see the “funny” side of her situation.

As I read her question about why all the bad stuff happens to people it occurred to me that maybe God knows which of His children can handle paying up KARMA in advance!  Okay, I know how this sounds, but it isn’t any crazier than thinking God is punishing us for some nutty behavior. I personally do not believe things happen by chance.  I am not always able to connect the dots on why something works out the way it does in my life, but still, I know I am participating in some way.  Hopefully in the scheme of things we will come to understand what it is all about.  For one thing, consider what we often learn about ourselves when we overcome the challenge.  How many times have you said, “Well, I won’t have to make that mistake again”?

When someone is in the midst of despair, pain, illness and discouragement, it is NOT time to point out how they brought this on themselves.  It is just not that simple.  Furthermore, who are we to think we know the cause/effect situations in another person’s life?  We usually can’t figure it out for our own.  Love and pray for those in need.  Encourage them to do the same for themselves, when appropriate.  That is your gift to the situation.  That, in my opinion, is why you are connected to that friend or loved one who very much needs support, right now.

When Love Fails

This article originally appeared in the Whole Life Learning Center Blog November 4, 2005.

The scripture assures us, “Love never fails.” (I Cor. 13.8) Yet so many times in our lives we definitely feel that love has vanished, that no matter how hard we have tried we cannot find love. Hurts and disappointments of the past seem to loom larger and larger until we are completely overwhelmed. At those times we are unable to take comfort in the fact that we have been loved, that there were those who cared—and perhaps still do even though we cannot feel it.
It is impossible to know exactly what brings a person to the point where his/her life appears totally bereft of love, yet surely we do know people who are suffering in that depth of despair. Often our attempts to be of help fall on deaf ears or are met with fear and mistrust incapacitating them from accepting that help. When this happens our best hope is to stand by, but stand back. Hold the person dear in your heart of love and trust that the working of Spirit will dislodge them from being locked in loss and hopelessness.
It may seem that our choice to stand back is no help at all. When someone we care for is hurting, we want to do whatever is possible to make things better for them. And yet if the person will not or cannot respond to our efforts we may only make things worse by outwardly pushing them to do something we believe is right for them. In these matters, we ourselves must return to our own trust and faith in Spirit to move in Its own mysterious ways to bring resolution. When we fully let go and trust, then we have done our best. It is then up to the other person to proceed in the best way he/she knows how. Our hearts may ache for them to choose differently. We may absolutely believe that we know what it will take for them to overcome their challenge. In fact, we cannot know. In truth each person chooses his/her path according to their specific needs and understanding of who they are and the powers they feel they have.
No matter the path a loved one may choose our steadfast trust in the nature of the universe as a place where truth will ultimately prevail is the best support we can offer. The “truth” may not appear to be the same for every person, but beyond personal truth there is eternal Truth the understanding of which we are all seeking and which when understood in growing degrees brings peace of mind and release and healing.
Love Never Fails!