KERLIN: The Greatest Love Story is between God and us

During this month when we celebrate love, we often look only at the love that we share with one another and forget that each one of us is actually caught up in the greatest love story of all time — the love that created us, formed us, brought us into being and sustains us throughout our lifetime, the love of God. God shows us in so many ways how much we are loved if we keep our eyes and hearts open to see.  

God tells us in Scripture how much we are loved: 

• “I have loved you, my people, with an everlasting love. With unfailing love, I have drawn you to myself.” (Jer 31:3)
• “You are altogether beautiful, my love; there is no flaw in you.” (Songs 4:7)
• “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love.” (Jn 15:9)
• “The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness; He will quiet you by His love; He will exult over you with loud singing.” (Zeph 3:17)
• “I will be your God throughout your lifetime — until your hair is white with age. I made you, and I will care for you. I will carry you along and save you.” (Is 46:4) 
• We are the beloved of God — God calls us beautiful, draws us to Himself, loves us like He loves the Father, quiets us with love, dances and exults over us in love, and is with us our whole life long.  

God manifests His love for us in nature and the beautiful environment He has given us to enjoy, “The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display His craftsmanship. Day after day, they continue to speak; night after night, they make Him known.” (Ps 19:1-2)

Welcome the new day, give thanks for the gift of life and let God love you through the night. Just as we are made in the image of God, so too is each and every person we meet. “So, God created human beings in His own image. In the image of God, He created them; male and female, He created them.” (Gen 1:27) 

Loving one another is not just the grand gestures of chocolates, roses and dinners out. Seeing God in one another and showing love often means listening. How can we truly see God in another person if we do not give people our attention and seek to understand who they are? Compassion, kindness and appreciation are all things that nurture and grow love. The next time you see someone, look and listen with the eyes of love.     

Let’s discover together all the ways that God is loving us — each and every day! 

“So, we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.” (1 Jn 4:16) 

Kristine Kerlin is the director of the Office of Aging.