FIRMLY PLANTED â—½ ENCOURAGEMENT
Undone
by Dina Cavazos
A false fall fell upon us for a short time, teasing with cool temperatures and dry air, then it was blazing hot and humid again. Besides the heat, an unexpected and out-of-the-ordinary assignment required my attention for over a week, keeping me from my usual routine of tending the garden. I fed the birds and watered the potted plants enough to keep them going, but little else. I nearly lost the Carolina Jessamine I planted in the Spring (it still needs to be babied), but I think it will recover from my neglect. My assignment was a love offering, and as important as my garden is to me, I will sacrifice it for love.
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Contrary to what the song says, love is not just a four-letter word. Love is at the very heart of everything that matters, though I toss it around lightly and use it to describe my feelings for ice cream, home décor, movies, and a myriad of things that really don’t (matter). True love is what gets me up in the morning and keeps me going all day, it’s what burns inside when I see a beautiful sunset or leaves shimmering in the wind. Love wells up and bubbles over when I see my grandson’s shining eyes laughing—anything to do with him, really. And my children, all adults now…there is no love more deep and powerful.
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Or is there?
I’ve made no secret of my past wayward and foolish life. If there is any redeeming element of that life it’s a testimony to God’s faithful persistent love and his abounding grace. When I think of where I’ve been and where I am, the wonderful children I have in spite of the circumstances, the forgiveness and blessings I’ve received despite my undeserving unworthiness…I’m undone. The assignment Jesus had was to sacrifice everything for love, and he did. He opened the way to Life, for me to live differently—free from the things that beset me and held me hostage.
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God’s sacrificial love, unconditional forgiveness, abundant grace, encased in transforming discipline…that is the deepest most powerful love, and it undoes me.