Worthy and unworthy are concepts that have no place for young children. There are no internal dialogues about whether they deserve to have their mother nurse them... again. They do not hesitate to make their needs known, and to gulp up the response without a shred of appreciation. Hugs and smiles are the constellations in their small sky, and who thanks the Milky Way for shining? Who could deter its light with a disgruntled attitude?
But somewhere along the way a few of us picked up the notion that love comes at a price. Be beautiful enough. Clever enough. Resourceful enough. Strong enough. Because without love, we die. Even a newborn weeping alone knows that.
A friend immersed herself in a running stream. The water splashed around and over her with no possibility of holding back, or becoming depleted. She could not see the source, neither could she find the end. Just water in abundance. The sensation reminded her of God's infinite love...unbidden, unfettered, unending. There is enough for all the people willing to leap in with both feet.
Life is an invitation to jump into the river. Too easily we can stand on the shore, arms crossed, making a point.
"If you do your share of the chores, then I will approve of you."
"When you apologize, then I will stop ignoring you."
But water doesn't wait. And the only one missing the excitement is the one who refuses to step in and get wet.
