My friends asked, can you really love someone just the way they are? And tell them don’t change?
Ok, I know that some things are generalizations. Generalizations are ideas that are true some of the time, but not all of the time. Some people are mean and they need to change. Some people are selfish and they need to change.
And yes there are people that I cannot love.
But for anyone that I can, imagine the gift it is to them of just being loved. Imagine the gift to yourself if someone said, "Don't change. I love you just the way that you are."
May we get better at loving more people without conditions.
May we never give up on being made perfect in love.
I have posted this story before, but I hope it helps us understand the power of loving people, and being loved, just the way that you are...
"I was a neurotic for years. I was anxious and depressed and selfish. Everyone kept telling me to change. I resented them, and I agreed with them, and I wanted to change, but simply couldn't, no matter how hard I tried. What hurt the most was that, like the others, my best friend kept insisting that I change. I felt so powerless and trapped. Then one day, he said to me, 'Don't change. I love you just as you are.'
These words were music to my ears... don't change, don't change, don't change... I love you as you are. I relaxed, I came alive, and suddenly I changed!
Now I realize that I couldn't really change until I found someone who would love me whether I changed or not.
Is this how you love me God?"
Anthony Demello in The Song of the Bird
Is this how you love me God? Listen my friends... Listen.... If God loves us conditionally, we are in trouble. If God loves us only if we are good enough, then we are in serious trouble. The only way of understanding God's love, the only way of understanding love itself, is unconditionally. If there are conditions attached, it is not love.
"I was a neurotic for years. I was anxious and depressed and selfish. Everyone kept telling me to change. I resented them, and I agreed with them, and I wanted to change, but simply couldn't, no matter how hard I tried. What hurt the most was that, like the others, my best friend kept insisting that I change. I felt so powerless and trapped. Then one day, he said to me, 'Don't change. I love you just as you are.'
These words were music to my ears... don't change, don't change, don't change... I love you as you are. I relaxed, I came alive, and suddenly I changed!
Now I realize that I couldn't really change until I found someone who would love me whether I changed or not.
Is this how you love me God?"
Anthony Demello in The Song of the Bird
Is this how you love me God? Listen my friends... Listen.... If God loves us conditionally, we are in trouble. If God loves us only if we are good enough, then we are in serious trouble. The only way of understanding God's love, the only way of understanding love itself, is unconditionally. If there are conditions attached, it is not love.
God loves us. Get over trying to be good enough. Welcome the embrace. Then change if you feel so led. But know that you are loved. Period.
And give the gift of unconditional love to everyone that you possibly can.
It's a beautiful day in God's world be sure to see the good.
Send replies to jsbrink57@gmail.com
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I am leading a trip to Ireland next year. If you are interested in reading about it, or joining in, the link is below.....
Treasures of Ireland
July 13-22, 2020
http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/ir20071320a17768#eotours
It's a beautiful day in God's world be sure to see the good.
Send replies to jsbrink57@gmail.com
- - - - - - - -
I am leading a trip to Ireland next year. If you are interested in reading about it, or joining in, the link is below.....
Treasures of Ireland
July 13-22, 2020
http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/ir20071320a17768#eotours
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