Scripture:
Reflection:
“Yahweh is tenderness and pity, slow to anger, full of faithful love. 9 He is generous to all, his tenderness embraces all his creatures; trustworthy in all his words, and upright in all his
deeds.14 Yahweh supports all who stumble, lifts up those who are bowed down. 17 Upright in all that he does, He acts only in faithful love. 18 He is close to all who call upon him, all who call on him from the heart.” Psalm 145:8-9, 13-14, 17-18
If we ever wonder if God loves us, we only need to read these words! But if we question God’s love, maybe it’s because they are only words to us… We need to go beyond the words to an experience of God’s love. We need to believe these words are true and ask God to show us they are real. When our kids were growing up, I remember encouraging them to question all that we told them about God. I told them they could ask God to reveal Himself to them so that they would know He was real. I told them they couldn’t’ get to heaven on my faith, that they needed to make it their own. So, how can we open ourselves up to His Presence?
There are many ways to do this. We can experience God in the sacraments. Since they are “outward signs instituted by Christ to give grace,” we can receive a touch from God. We can look for God in scripture. As we read, we can invite the Holy Spirit to speak to our hearts and help us grow in our understanding of who God is for us. We can surrender our lives to the working of the Holy Spirit and let Him take over. He will correct us and remind us of all Jesus said when he was on earth. He will comfort us and guide us and teach us. We all need the Holy Spirit!
There are a set of YouTube videos called “The Wild Goose” that discuss this very topic and are well worth the time to watch them. (Go to youtube.com and search for The Wild Goose.) Come Holy Spirit! May we all ask for more of the Holy Spirit every day so that we will know for sure the depth and height and breadth of God’s incredible love for each of us. “Can a woman forget her baby at the breast, feel no pity for the child she has borne? Even if these were to forget, I shall not forget you.” Is 49:15
God is for us, He is behind us and before us. He loves us with an everlasting love, and will never leave us or forsake us. May we throw ourselves every day into the arms of the God who loves more than we can ever ask or imagine! His promises are amazing for all who believe in Him: “In all truth I tell you, whoever listens to my words, and believes in the one who sent me, has eternal life; without being brought to judgment such a person has passed from death to life.” Jn 5:24 May we walk each day in His love knowing our future is secure in His Hands.
Janice Carleton and her husband Jim live in Bainbridge Island, Washington, and partner with Passionist Fr. Cedric Pisegna in Fr. Cedric Ministries. She is the mother of 4 grown children and grandmother of 6. Janice also leads women’s retreats and recently published her second book: God IS with Us. Visit Janice’s website at http://www.janicecarleton.com/ or email her at [email protected].