We just came home from church. I was making lunch. I had my music on and all was right in the world. Then out of the blue, everything changed. Why? My son said some mean and hurtful things. He has mental limitations so I know he didn’t mean them, but they still hurt. Right then, if there were loveometers to show how much we feel loved, mine would have been flat lined (like I was dead). In reality, for a moment, I was dead emotionally. It served as a reminder that every one of us needs a steady supply of love. Our being thrives on knowing that we are loved. For me, the problem arises when I look to others to supply all the love I need. I sometimes want people to fill a need that they can’t always fill. Sometimes, for whatever reason people will let us down emotionally. They can’t help it. They are human and flawed and broken like me. I was reminded to cut other some slack and don’t take it personally when they fail to show me the love I need. I was also reminded to be sure and show love to others whenever possible. It may only be a kind word, a hug, a simple gesture, a smile that says I am glad to see you. Above all, I was reminded to LOOK UP. When other fail, I have a father in heaven who is not broken or flawed. He understands when our loveometers is at its lowest because his was there once too. “This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses since he had the same temptations we do, though he never once gave way to them and sinned.” He was rejected, mocked and spit upon. His loveometers was pretty low and still he said “I love you”. God has an amazing love for us no matter what we’ve done. He alone can fill in the blips left by others. So when the blips on your loveometers are too far apart look to God whose love transcends time and space and take hold of the love he has freely given to everyone. My husband, my children, my friends cannot always fill my need for love and affirmation. They can’t, they aren’t able, but God is able.
