Monday, October 22, 2012

Dearest God,

Do I love you because of your many gifts to me or do I love you out of a deep desire to have a relationship with the God of creation, the God of salvation?  That question came to me in the early hours of the morning before I climbed out of bed.

When I rattle off your many blessings to me, I thank you for family, friends, rest, our home, and my comfort. When I declare my love to you, is it because I have so much, that I live out of a kind of abundance?  Is that why I love you?  What if I had none of it?  What if my health failed and I had no one to care?  What if my relationships fizzled and I was left alone?  Would I still offer up my praises to you?  What if I lived a life where I never knew when my next meal would be served?  Would I still love you?

What is at the root of my love for you, Lord?  As I live in comfort with shelter, medicine, clean water, and plenty of food, is my love for you connected with these gifts?  What if I had none, would I love you as wholly as I do now?

As you look upon me as one of your children, Heavenly Father, what do you see in me?  I cannot see you apart from where I live, what I have, and what I receive.  How can I know if my love is or is not connected with these.  I want to have a pure love for you apart from all I have.

Show me
the extent
of my love
for you,
O God,
so that
I may
love you more.
Detach me
from all
I have
so that
I may
love you fully
with all
of me,
I pray.

Love, Andrea