“The hunger for love is more difficult to feed than the hunger for bread.” Mother Teresa

This world can be such a noisy, hurried place.

Life can get really complicated.

But, no matter what we’ve given up , what we’ve yet to find, or where we are in life, there is one thing we can always be sure of.

We need love.

We need to love.

We need to be loved.

Love Worth Cherishing

My four-year-old son Caleb’s been bringing me home lots of preschool Valentine’s Day crafts this week. Pre-cut hearts in pink, red, and white Elmer-glued on construction paper.

If you saw this at the store, you wouldn’t even look twice at it.

But, you didn’t see him today.

You didn’t see how he banked sideways running over to me from his classroom door, with that silly grin, how he cocked his head to one side, closed his eyes in dramatic eyelash flutters, stuck his arm out with his work of art. “Look Mommy, I made this. See how BEE-U-TEE-FUL it is!”

Then, he throws his whole body headlong into my arms, as I knelt to welcome him to me, knocking me off my feet.

He knows I’m going to stick a pushpin to his artwork, put his work on display in the family room and fawn all over it.

It makes me happy to see him so confident. He knows the love he gives is good.

He is sure the love he offers will be received. Implicitly.

I want that memory to be imprinted onto his soul.

So that even when one day, when he discovers love isn’t always requited, he will believe somewhere within his unspoken memory that love is still worth giving. That even though he is hurt, he’ll love again knowing know how beautiful and good it is to be loved. His love is still worth cherishing.

Being Loved Right

And then, there is Josh. He’s the eight-year-old big brother. He likes Star Wars Lego and he’s been asking me please, can I learn kungfu or karate? since he strated second grade.  Josh doesn’t bring home crafts any more. But, I actually want to make something for him. Something simple. Cut out some hearts on construction paper.

I want to tell him he’s lovable and a sweetheart to be with. I want to write it down, because he can read now. To give him chocolates.  And maybe some gummy worms too.  So that he too will have memories of being loved. And noticed.

So that when his heart begins to awaken to puppy love and crushes, he’ll be implicitly drawn to someone who is emotionally giving.  And when he discovers that not everyone turns out to be the way they appear, his heart will be able to mend because he’ll somehow believe he’s worth being loved right and well.

We are human and we all need to love — and find it received.

We are all made with flesh and blood — and we all need to be loved.

Now, that we’re all grown up, none of that has changed.

Dear You,

I’ve been thinking about you this week. I’ve been wondering how you’re doing. And what all is dancing in your heart when you’re looking into the morning of a winter sky. And when there is a quiet moment, maybe as you’re finishing up folding the last of the laundry at night before you go to bed, are you sifting through the day, going over every nook and cranny of the hours that have passed away?

Today, the day before Valentine’s Day, I want to tell you something.

I think you are amazing.

I think you are daring. You get up. You face the world — and you love another day.

You are stronger than you know.  Because sometimes, letting God love you might mean extending yourself the kindness you give to others, yet also secretly long to receive.

The rejection you felt when someone disregarded your ideas, your wants or your best intentions.

You are worth loving.

Your love is still good enough to be given.

Your love is still good enough to be received.

If we could sit across from each other, you would see how very appreciated you are.

You would see how much your stories mean to the world. To your friends. Your children. To God.

Thank you for receiving me.  Here.  Reading between the lines.

For lending me your hope.  For being on this journey together.

Whispering To You

This Valentine’s week, don’t let any of the voices that swirl around you keep you from listening to that still small voice.

Who is you.

The you God made.

The you God sees. Hears.

Then, turn to the trees standing bare in winter.  Or look up at the clouds swirling in a thick quilt blanketing the sky.

And if it’s starting to rain on asphalt where you stand, look down at the cherry blossoms that have floated onto wet ground during the dark at night when you step out from your car in the morning.

God may be whispering to you through the beauty you see —

Look.

Do you like it?

I made this. For you.

Do you think it’s beautiful?

I love you.

Then, open your heart.

So God can run into your embrace.

So He can find that His love is good enough.

For you to receive.

Let him love you.

Today.

“And while he was still a long way off,
his father saw him coming.

Filled with love
and compassion,
he ran to his son,
embraced him, and kissed him.”
~ Luke 15:20

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What are your thoughts on love leading you this week?

Pull up a chair. Dear you. Click to comment.

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*Next Thursday 2/13/14 Writing prompt:
Love. Share your thoughts on love the day before Valentine’s Day. Let’s be present with each other this coming week.

*Today’s Thursday’s 2/20/14 Writing prompt :
Finding Your Voice

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