March 14, 2006

• Impactful excerpts from No Man is an Island, by Thomas Merton.

  “There is no end to the sharing of love, and therefore, the potential of happiness of such love is without limit.”

  I think more than intelligence, or talent, or creativity, or any other gift that I have been blessed with from the Lord, I value the capacity to love far, far above and beyond the rest.  Although intelligence or talent may give me opportunity to boast, the capacity to love has given me opportunities for joy. 

  There is truly something special and amazing about sharing love with
  someone, solely to bless them and to seek their good.  It is a
  priviledge.  I only wish I could put into words how much it means
  to me.  Everything else, food, games, movies, whatever… they are
  only temporary.  They are distractions at the least, and fleeting
  at best.  But love shared is forever.  It leaves an
  impression.  It has the power to shape our hearts and guide us
  towards beauty and ultimately, towards God. 

  I have not forgotten the love that has been shown to me. 
  Indeed, some acts of love have been so impactful that I would, and
  have, travelled around the world simply to share some of the love with
  those who have so graciously shared with me. 

  I have been telling people that I went to Singapore to attend two
  friends’ wedding, but that was just the short answer.  The real
  answer is that these two friends of mine taught me by example how to
  love, and how to bring someone into community.  They were a living
  model of grace and love and I have been forever changed by the
  experience.  The passion of building community and caring for my
  neighbor came from these two friends of mine in Singapore, and seeing
  them again has only fueled that flame to burn even brighter, ever
  stronger.  I went to Singapore to thank them, to honor them, and
  to encourage them by telling them of the impact they have had on my
  life and, vicariously, the lives of so many others whom I have loved
  and cared for simply because of their example.  I think they were
  amazed and greatly encouraged to see the fruit of their labor extend so
  far.  I was blessed just to make them smile.

  I also went to serve them, helping them with wedding preparations
  and moving furniture and other little things.  Truthfully, these
  small acts of love were just as enjoyable, if not better, than eating
  all the exotic foods and seeing all the exciting sights.  I was
  filled with joy to love these friends of mine in this way.  It was
  an experience to remember.

  Apparently, it was not only memorable for me, but for the bride’s
  parents as well.  They were quite impressed that I would come for
  their daughter’s wedding and were quite taken with me.  I tried to
  explain to them that it was only the love of Jesus that could affect me
  so, that I would be compelled to travel for 37 hours just to get there,
  and another 30 just to get back.  I hope that they received the
  message and that the seeds were well planted.  I would love
  nothing more than to have played a small part to help her parents come
  to know Jesus.  And the circle of love goes round and round….

  What a joy it is to love, I say.

  And as Merton states here, there is no end to the sharing of
  love.  There is no limit to it.  And thusly, there is no
  limit to the joy that comes from a good and pure love.

  • 8:44 am
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