As I sat in meditation today preparing to write this weekly note, I asked, “What would like to be said?” I sat with that question for a moment and I heard, “Tell them that you love them”. My mind replied: “Really, do you think they need to hear that again?”
I sat for a few moments longer and again I heard “Tell them you love them.”
Ok! I am sitting in the sanctuary as I write this with beautiful strings and piano music playing in the background. Feeling love and writing about love is joyful!
Here is what I would like to share with you about love. When I was invited to serve as Spiritual Leader of this spiritual community, I decided to meet with the local ministers and to ask them to share their years of wisdom. This was a decision that I am grateful for to this very day. I asked the same question of visiting minister, Rev. Scott Sherman (creator of Unity Sacred Healing Meditation). This was the wisdom he shared with me: “Love them well”. I replied, “That’s easy Scott, they are my spiritual family, I have always loved them.” “Good” he replied and added “Let them love you.” Oh, this caught me off guard. I have felt the love of this spiritual community from the moment I walked in the front door and I feel love from this community today. I would like to think that I receive your love as it is shared, yet I know that there are times that in our human experience, I may not be excellent at receiving love. I too, have moments that I may feel undeserving and unworthy of your love.
I recently visited Rev. Steve Bolen, long time Unity minister of Unity of the Hills in Austin. Of course, I was compelled to ask for his single thought of wisdom. He thoughtfully shared “Karen, I learned it was really important to love myself”. Powerful! I thought. The circle of love originates and emanates as God. This circle of love pours through all of divine creation. Time and time again we are reminded to love. Love those who love you and love those who loath you. Love those whom you agree with and those you disagree with. Love those who are like you and those who are the opposite of you.
Love simply for the sake of loving. As our affirmation Sunday said:
“I am divine love, unifying my thoughts, words, and actions until I know only oneness.”
Oh! The moments when we don’t feel love, let us quickly recognize that we too are calling for love, and reach out to replenish ourselves by basking in whatever reminds us we are love. What is that for you? For me, it is stepping away, sitting in silence and allowing the presence of the Divine to fill me. This presence fills me until I am once again saturated with love and better able to be love in my world.
Let’s consider together the greatest commandment. When asked, Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
Please join me Sunday to continue The Powers of Your Independence Elimination, Imagination, Dominion. We are also preparing for Rev. Linda Martella-Whitsett to be with us Sunday, July 16th. Rev. Linda is the Vice President of Silent Unity. She will be the guest speaker at 11:00 celebration service and she will facilitate a workshop after the service. Rev. Linda has also written two books that are available in our book store: “How to Pray Without Talking to God” and “Divine Audacity”. You may want to add them to your summer reading list!
Blessings and love,