"We accept the love we think we deserve." ~ Stephen Chbosky
I’ve been thinking…love never gives up and always wins. Re-read that. Isn’t that the most amazing thing?
It is the most important information a human being will ever know and experience. I am trying to discern how much time I have spent pondering the fact that love is constant.
This past week, a friend shared that a small dog in his neighborhood had been kicked outside by its owners. From all evidence, it seems they have no intention of caring for this poor dog. We are experiencing the worst heat wave in our region in years. This is no time for a human, let alone an animal used to living indoors, to be living in this heat with no food or water.
Over the course of the week, my friend has made countless efforts to rescue this poor dog. He has placed food around, called for help from others in the neighborhood, and even asked for help from a local rescue group. Sadly, no one has been able to get this sweet fur baby to come close enough for a rescue. He has, by now, spent hours in the heat and several worrisome nights trying to help.
I greatly admire his tenacity and the love of animals that continues to drive him forward. This is when I began to think about love and how it never stops.
We like to assign the term “love” to our own interpretations. Oh, how we miss the true mark; the real energy of divine love that transcends mere labeling.
It doesn’t stop when we choose to ignore it. No thanks, love, I am going to handle this my way. Love even continues once we’ve tried it our way and made a shambles of things. Here I am, allow me to pick up those pieces and work this out for you.
It doesn’t stop when we are so bogged down in our own pains and worries that we cannot see love waiting to enfold us.
It doesn’t stop when we decide to exhibit hate, judgement and negativity into our relationships and communities.
It doesn’t stop when we have been hurt, kicked to the side, and have nowhere to go. It beckons us with open arms and says, just come to me and all is going to be okay. I’ll give you water. I’ll give you a bed and something to eat.
It doesn’t stop when the choices you’ve made have you behind bars – real or imagined.
It doesn’t stop when we are lying in bed, dying from a disease our doctors and medicines cannot cure.
LOVE DOES NOT STOP. Wow!
And as love can do, not only does it not stop, but it always wins. Either here or in the life to come; its a win!
So then, why are we so unhappy?
Why are we angry and bitter?
Why do we argue and persecute one another?
Why do we keep doing the same things over and over again even when we know it doesn’t work?
Why do we run when love is trying to rescue us?
Fear.
Fear of getting hurt, again.
Fear of facing painful truths about us and others.
Fear we may have gotten it all wrong, even though we think we are right.
Fear we may have to change something we prefer to cling to.
And you know what? Love says, ‘That’s okay. I am still here; I love you and I’m not going away. I’ll wait until you are ready. And even beyond then, I’m still here.”
As of this morning, the pup is still wandering around. My friend has vowed to not stop until this pup is cared for properly. He wants this pup to know love.
