Until the loss of my daughter, I’m not sure I would have agreed entirely. I didn’t used to think my faith could be tested to the point of almost failing, but the trials of life have indeed tested my faith. While my faith has sustained me through some pretty awful circumstances, it has faltered at times, enough to also test my hope in people, this world, & at times, even God and the hope of Heaven to come. At times, the hope of a new heaven and earth, hasn’t helped much in the darkness of deep sorrow. Showing me that faith only in God who sustains me & His promises in the bible, is my hope in the worst of times. Sometimes, my hope is as weak as my faith. Thankfully, I don’t sustain, my faith & hope, but God does through His love.
So, then I consider, Love. How does “Love” sustain me? Does it sustain me? Yes…Yes! I think Love sustains me. Gods Love sustains me, even when my love fails. And “My Love” surely fails. But, My Love for God is greater than my loss even when I’m drowning in sorrow. My love for others reminds me, no matter how pointless life seem, without certain loved ones here with me; I know there are other loved ones, who still need me to be here, alive, to love them. Even on the days when I don’t have much love to give. Even when I’m empty. That’s when the Love God gives me, can overflow to them, when I have little love of my own to give. Love becomes greater, and since it’s coming to me from God, who has everlasting and unlimited love. I find love to give, even when it seems I have none. Even when I’m completely empty. I’m grateful to God, He has more love to give than I can spend.
The Bible also says that we will be “known by our Love.” Those of us who know God, are now an example, and illustration of Gods Love to others. Loving God, Loving others, it’s the two greatest commandments in the Bible. The two hardest things to do “everyday”, and often “any day” especially on the “bad” days of this life.
I want to be known, though, by the Love I try to express to others both “Everyday” & “Any” day. How about you?
When I am gone, I want others lives… to have been impacted by my love for them. I want a life well spent, living and loving others. I want loving others to have mattered to many. I want my life to have been a “Show & Tell” of Love. I hope my faith in God will have been seen & felt by those who know me. I want my hope in God to become contagious so others want to know and trust in God. I want a taste of Heaven here on earth to be seen in me to be a glimpse of the Heaven & Earth to come that others can’t deny. I can’t wait for the day when death is swallowed up and no more, and eternal life reigns for Eternity. That truly will be a “Great Day” indeed. Oh, how I want others to be compelled to believe, in God who is preparing that day to come.
Until then, I live, and work, and Knit & Pray, and wait for that great day, Hoping this life will not be a waste. That Love and Hope will not run out. That Faith will not fail. That Gods Love will win just as the Bible promises, in Christ my Savior. I pray if you don’t know Him, you find Him this Christmas, that you put “Christ” back into “Christmas”. Remember those who are hurting from loss and suffering and many terrible things, and count your blessings & find ways to bless others.
It has been a blessing sharing my thoughts with you this year about my precious daughter, Rachel, and working through my grief, that I know may continue, but will have an end one day. As I look forward to another year to come, I am reminded, God has Love to give, even as the world continues to take, we can be a reflection of God everywhere we go, and in everything we do. So, try,…even as I do, to spread some Love this year, and pray it makes a difference to someone else along the way.
This is my last post to this “Sayings by Susan” blog for 2021.
Praying for a better year to us all,
In Gods Love, Susan