Love
by Genna Hosterman
This week, we light the candle of Love. Describing Love can feel like trying to describe the way a song sounds without actually playing it. So instead, I defer to the poets, to the language of the ones whose words place us in our hearts instead of our heads. Today’s poem is “Love Bade Me Welcome,” by George Herbert:
Love bade me welcome. Yet my soul drew back
Guilty of dust and sin.
But quick-eyed Love, observing me grow slack
From my first entrance in,
Drew nearer to me, sweetly questioning,
If I lacked any thing.
A guest, I answered, worthy to be here:
Love said, You shall be he.
I the unkind, ungrateful? Ah my dear,
I cannot look on thee.
Love took my hand, and smiling did reply,
Who made the eyes but I?
Truth Lord, but I have marred them: let my shame
Go where it doth deserve.
And know you not, says Love, who bore the blame?
My dear, then I will serve.
You must sit down, says Love, and taste my meat:
So I did sit and eat.
Are there places in your own life where Love is inviting you in, but you find yourself stuck in the doorway? This week, I invite you to allow yourself to believe the story God tells about you: that you are good and worthy and so very loved. May it be so.