Love Above All

I've been thinking more about what I wrote on the sixteenth month anniversary of Hope's death about my love for her. Love seems to transcend time and death and the space between earth and heaven. It got me to thinking about this verse from Romans 8:38: "For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." And this other very short phrase from 1 Corinthians 13:8: "Love never fails." And the same chapter ends with those famous words: "And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love."

First, love seems to transcend all, and I'm in awe that my human love has that much power to continue to love my Hope with my whole heart even after she is no longer with me. And I trust it will sustain me through the months and years of our long separation.

Second, and even more amazing is the love God has given to us that transcends all and never fails. I'm counting on that today. I'm marinating in that today knowing that I am made in my Father's image and can show the same kind of love with His power as I allow Him to love me to the fullest. Surely it can't help but spill out!. May it transcend division, conflict, unrest, oppression, grief, pain, and even death.

Father, help us today to show love everywhere we go. But first let us allow you to love on us and fill us up to the full. And may that love transcend space and time and even death. Perhaps love is the sustaining factor in all that we face. Help me and help my friends to tap into this powerful force that you offer to us freely.

The pic is a piece of art that Hope did a long time ago for Nick from one of his favorite lines from a song. The cat had destroyed it which made Nick so very sad, but a friend was able to resurrect for which we are grateful.