Beloved - today and everyday

at Whiterock Lake - David Moore

I’ve been sitting with this photograph that I intended to share with you on Valentine’s Day. The ‘perfect’ words to go with it evaded me. Yet, the feeling that came with the image of these rocks has not left me. They reminded me immediately of a story from the gospel of Luke. It was Palm Sunday and the people were singing accolades to Jesus as he entered the city of Jerusalem. Some of the leaders in the crowd were not happy with his receiving such attention and said to Jesus, “Teacher, order your disciples to stop.” He answered, “I tell you, if these were silent, the stones would shout out” (Luke 19:39-40).

Perhaps I resisted greeting you last week because I didn’t want this to be confused with an obligatory Hallmark card. No. This comes to ask you to take a moment…to gaze at the stones…to be reminded that you are a beloved human being. Breathe it in…say it to yourself…know it in the depths of your being. You are beloved - dearly loved and valued. Receive it not for what you do, but just for you. You (we all) were brought into this world to be in relationship. Undoubtedly there are relationships that have failed you and relationships you have failed, and that can make it hard to remember that still, you are beloved.  

Beyond signs of affection or accolades, when all those fall silent … still the stones will shout out! You are loved by a Love greater than any Hallmark card can convey.

Faithfully yours with great love and always,
in this together…