Even when the rain falls
Even when the flood starts rising
Even when the storm comes
I am washed by the water
needtobreathe, “Washed By the Water”
I like to love people. A friend once said that she could see herself falling in love with just about anyone because that is what she does ~ she loves. I thought her realization was so insightful, admired that she realized how she is simply drawn to people, enjoys becoming close to them, caring for them. And I can relate to her completely. I somehow seek the broken, those who need me in some way, and I love them with everything I have.
I also forgive a multitude of sins.
Yesterday’s sermon titled Reckless Love covered the parable of the prodigal son, but rather than focus on the son who lived irresponsibly and returned home with nothing, the pastor focused on the elder son, pointing out his inability to love recklessly. I ribbed my husband as the pastor described those among us who have lived good lives with few faults and little sin. It is easy for those people to go through life questioning why we should care for those who have squandered what life has given them, why those people deserve our generosity and forgiveness.
And then the pastor mentioned the story from Luke 7 when Jesus explains to Simon that those who have been forgiven much, love much. The sinful woman comes to Jesus, anoints him with perfume, and covers his feet with her kisses and tears, wiping his feet with her hair. She envelops him in her love.
Those who have been forgiven much, love much.
In many ways, I am the prodigal son. Living life on the straight and narrow is not always my natural inclination. Instead, the goodness in my life has been carefully chosen with a clear alternative dismissed and left behind each time. And while I believe that for the most part I have made the right choices and have lived a good life, I have also veered from this path more times than I care to admit.
I value the Grace of God because of the beauty and peace it has brought to my life. Over and over again, I have been washed by the water, and it is from this place of mercy that I am able to love recklessly and give freely of myself.
Recently I learned some things that turned my reality upside-down. I was left feeling exactly like that moment in The Sixth Sense when Bruce Willis’ character realizes the truth of his situation and stunned, looks back on scene after scene in his mind, only this time he sees every moment differently. His wife left the table not because she was mad, but because she could not see him. She doesn’t respond to him when she’s sitting on the couch, not because he came home late, but because he is not really there. It is so much to process, months of conversations suddenly changed. And yet all I can feel is love and forgiveness.
Those who have been forgiven much, love much.