Rooted and Grounded

Love

When I was young, I learned of love
I knew it as a feeling, an overwhelming rush
a flush, a warmth that spread over me
until it ebbed
it always ebbed

When I was older, I learned of love
I knew it as a decision
I knew it as a choice
a rugged mountain to be climbed
a rough sea to be navigated
a treacherous road covered in black ice
until it left
until he left
then love was just an empty hole
then love just hurt

when I had loved and lost
when all I had I poured out to the last
when my efforts came to nought
when I was empty and alone
my heart pulled out
left to wither
as I withered
as I let go of my dead love
as I learned to leave my dead love

I learned of another love
the Lover of my soul
He’d made it possible for me to love
gave me feelings of love
taught me to choose love
girded me to climb the mountain
emboldened me to navigate the sea
held me to the treacherous road
loved me

and in the loving
I saw
love is not merely a feeling
to be loved is to know security,
to be loved is to exude beauty
to be loved is to know love in return

and in the loving
I saw
love is not merely a choice
to love is to never quit
to love is to never leave
to love is to always hope
to love is to sacrifice
unto death
my death
my beloved’s

but the death of my beloved’s love
was the doorway to a greater love
The Lover of my Soul stood
beckoning me
speaking words of love to me

as I responded
as I walked across the threshold
I fell into the ocean
His thoughts for me
His plans for me

His love is as He is
unending
unselfish
unfailing
unfathomable
under me like wings
His love lifted me
out of my puddle of tears
to the heights of His glory

I and He forever
My Savior
My King
My Friend
My Lord
My love

I shall
as He did
give my life
to prove my love

Copyright 2018 Mary Beth Mullin