Love for the Journey

How difficult it would be to walk any tough journey without love! First, the reservoir of divine love that God builds into us from the beginning. Then the love that others add unconditionally during our early years. Eventually the love we learn to offer to others--hopefully, also, unconditionally. And throughout the whole journey, since even the best human love wears thin at times, God's faithful outpouring of perfect love continues. The Hebrew word hesed is my favorite; with no equivalent English word, translators often settle for "faithful love" or "loving-kindness." I think the best spiritual exercise we can engage in is to enter deeply into that place in the soul where we can be convinced of God's hesed and carry it with us consciously throughout the tough journey of the day. This is one reason why I am committed to reading the Bible daily if possible. It's an excellent way to hear him saying, "I love you."

I slept very soundly through the night. Still no significant nausea or other digestive upset. I'd bought that expensive anti-nausea medication after last time's meltdown, so you can be sure I'm taking it this time. And I plan to go to the oncologist this morning for an additional infusion of fluids, on invitation from my very loving nurses to try to prevent dehydration.

I tried until bedtime last night but couldn't get an update on my friend's biopsy report. I keep praying. Yesterday I told you good news about our Michigan friend whose psa numbers have dropped. His missionary daughter was having a breast biopsy yesterday. Praying for a clean report for her as well.

May God fill you with his love today.

Carol