Do you believe that you are loved?
Do you believe that you are loved even if you mess up? forget things? struggle? fail?
I believe that there is a constant refrain we are offered each day by the One who loves us no matter what.
Just three simple words: I love you.
I imagine God will repeat them every second of every day until we can feel the truth of them. Every time we offer a statement that starts with “But, Lord”, God is there to offer a refrain of love over and over again.
So if you are struggling right now in any way and need a reminder of how God responds, this poem may be for you.
BUT LORD
“I love you…”
But, Lord,
I messed up.
I forgot
to pay that bill,
sign that paper,
make that appointment,
argue my d$!m taxes in time.
“I love you still…”
But, Lord,
I failed.
I didn’t
get that award,
sign that deal,
win that contest,
live up to my “great potential.”
“I love you still, now…”
But, Lord,
I’m struggling.
I can’t
exercise the courage,
summon the energy,
practice the forgiveness,
take that proverbial “leap of faith”.
“I love you still, now and forever…”
But, Lord…
I start again,
but this time,
You stop me…
“But, child…
I love you still,
now and forever,
even when you mess up,
even when you fail,
even when you struggle.
Can you please just
have a little faith in me?”
I open my mouth
to respond,
But, Lord…
Yet once again,
You stop me:
“But, child…
know that
when I look at you,
I don’t see
the messes,
the failures,
the struggles.
Instead,
I see
only Light.”
“Oh, my dear,
sweet child,
how I wish
you would let
yourself
shine.”