Remember Love

For the first time in my life, I might get a tattoo.

That probably sounds weird coming from a woman in her late 60’s. But these two words have become that important to me—so important that I’m tempted to inscribe them on my body:

                Remember Love 

I read recently, “There are only two states. There is love and there is fear. Yet even in fear, love exists, for love is everywhere. Fear arises when love is forgotten.”1

Rather than receiving this reminder as a slap on the hand (“You forgot love! Shame on you!”), I decided to turn it around. Am I feeling unsettled, anxious, or fearful? Then I can remember love.

And I’m not just talking about that huge, generous love that is infused into all of creation by our heavenly Papa. That’s part of it, for sure, but that love is so vast I sometimes have trouble recognizing it in my own little life. So when I remember love, I call to mind the facets of God’s love that apply specifically to whatever fear I’m facing.

Like the other day when I was feeling distressed about my waning energy, remembering love looked something like this: “Oh, wait, now I remember! You love me even when I’m not productive, don’t you, Papa? I remember that you always delight in me—including when I’m not doing anything. I remember that my body is Your home. You love this body, and You love living here, so You know all about the weariness I’m feeling. I remember that You’re strong and Your love is powerful, so it’s okay that I’m weak. I remember that Your desires for me are fueled by love, so You would not expect me to do or be something beyond my capacity. I don’t need to be afraid of this weakened state; I remember love.

When my sweetheart was unsettled and confused last week and I was feeling vulnerable, remembering love went like this: “Oh, that’s right, now I remember! You love me and Your protection goes far beyond what I could imagine. I’m safe with you. And even if my hubby makes a bad decision, I remember that You are creative enough to turn our foolishness into something beautiful. You’ve done that for us over and over! I remember how You’ve shielded us from the effects of some of our mistakes and walked us through the consequences of others. But no matter what, I remember that You’ve always been with us—You’ve never stopped taking care of us. I don’t need to be anxious, even though I feel vulnerable; I remember love.

Jesus’ friend and disciple, John, knew all about remembering love. He wrote, “There is no room in love for fear. Well-formed love banishes fear.” (1 John 4:18 in The Message). I don’t know whether or not I’ll go ahead and get that tattoo, but I do know this:

For all the days of my life, I want to keep remembering this “well-formed love” that “banishes fear.”

~ Kathryn Kircher

1 Michelle Epiphany Prosser in Excuse Me, Your God is Waiting