Love

When I was a child in Sunday School, one of the first lessons I learned was that the name of God was Love. and that God was Love and that Love was all around. And every Sunday throughout my eighty years of life, in some way or other, I have heard messages of love come from various pulpits regardless of what faiths or what religions are represented.

In my lifetime, I have been a member of the Christian Science Church, The United Church of Christ (UCC) and the Episcopalian Church; I have attended services in at the Hebrew temples, the Muslim mosques, and the Hindu Ashrams, and the Catholic Churches. I will be the first to admit that I do not understand all that goes on and all that is said from the various pulpits. The various traditions that I am not familiar with and those that I am familiar with can be and many times are very strange to this aging mind.

What I do understand is that all of the religions that are shared in common with their beginnings in the deserts of the mid-eastern world are four wonderful qualities: benevolence, blessing, charity, and generosity. All of these when put together reveal the Grace that God instills in us that is expressed in our eyes when we meet others who are in need of God’s loving care.

I cannot stress the memories of the lessons and joy of learning and the practices in my life of sharing God’s mercy with others. When I say mercy, I really mean compassion and kindness. Mercy seems to be such a distant, religious word that seems to be beyond our everyday touch and understanding. But compassion and kindness are qualities that I practice on a daily basis, even to the extent that my wife tells me to move along, others are waiting.

I believe we all have an inner strength, a power that is capable of helping all. We may not be able to heal as Jesus did, but with a little understanding, we can realize we do have the power to help others. Personally, I do it with the spoken word which drives my wife crazy. I have a kind and wonderful word with and for all whom I meet. Every person I meet is a special person, he or she is a child of God and can be healed by God’s Love and special word.

Jesus spoke in parables, which when translated and understood created understanding and healing. I cannot do that, so I speak in plain language of Love, the Love that God give me. He gave me inner strength that I can use that I can pass through words that I share with others that strengthen my love toward others regardless of who they are. I don’t ever walk with the Pharisees. Being a sinner, I am so much more comfortable dining with them.

I flow with God; I have been healed by God; therefore, I try my best to do God’s work. I am not a minister. Far from it. I merely love to share the life of others. Love, All is love.