LIVING ROOM MEMORIES  224 

(February 28, 2009)

We had a Living Room meeting yesterday and it left me with the wonderful deep joy I so often feel afterwards.

I will copy here part of an email I sent to my pastor about it:

“Tonight I’m getting to the end of the book my friend lent me: Mark Buchanan’s Hidden in Plain Sight. The second part of the book focuses on 1 Peter 1:5-7, discussing the meaning and significance of goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love (agape love). I’m presently starting to read about love.

Buchanan quotes G.K. Chesterton talking about “Beauty and the Beast”: “Unlovely things must be deeply loved before they become lovable.” in the way Christ loves us: “While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

And I think of how much I love my Living Room people and how even the most seemingly unlovable become very lovable. And in a strange way I come to love the seemingly unlovable even more than those who might seem more easy to love. Does that make sense? I thank God for giving me that love. Such joy it brings! The love of God is very present at Living Room. His presence is there and we are free to come before him the way we are – totally open, not needing to hide anything – no guilt or shame. At Living Room everyone becomes lovable. What a beautiful thing!”

At Living Room yesterday we talked about how to find meaning in life, though we might be disabled – not able to work. Towards the end I suggested starting the day with the following prayer: “God, please fill me with your love and help me to share that love with others.” I believe that when we pray that with sincerity and believe God can answer it, we will sense God’s love and share that love and we will find our life becoming meaningful.

I hope and pray you will have a day filled with meaning and love today.