Tonight I co-hosted a table at our church’s Advent by
Candlelight event - a time to focus on Jesus, the true meaning of the
season. As I looked around the table at
the women – some I had just met tonight – others I have had the honor of
getting to know over the last several months – I was impressed with God’s love
for them moving through me.
As we went through the activities of the night, we shared
family traditions. One woman’s family started
asking each other “what does God want for Christmas?” Another shared about the delicious egg strata
her mother made each Christmas morning.
One spoke of her family’s traditions – originating from Eastern Europe. The women spent hours cooking – learning the customary
dishes for Christmas. Each girl
initiated into the traditions – it was “woman talk” – a place where you heard
the family stories, laughed, hands full of sticky dough. It was hard work, but significant.
I looked at each woman thinking that as I learned more about
them, I had the opportunity to love them more.
When we share ourselves, our story, our true self – where we’ve come
from, the depth of who we are becomes rich and beautiful. To know more is to love more.
I believe that at times God has given me a spiritual love
for people as I need it – at times suddenly and almost overwhelmingly. But more often in life, this sharing of who
we are over time is what brings me to that complex, indescribable bond. Conversely, if a person is guarded and not
willing to reveal even a glimpse of herself, I often cannot find love. I find fault and annoyance and struggle
greatly to connect.
Tonight, I looked into each face and found that supernatural
love, a gift to my worn soul. I can’t
help but praise God at the gifts of community and love he has given me –
something I have prayed for a long time.
