A very popular artist began one of her songs with these words” If anyone should ever write my life story,” when you really think about it life is a compilation of many stories; each one different from the other although there maybe similarities each is extraordinary on it’s own. The journey of life takes each of us on different paths based on the choices we choose and the foundation laid in our formative growth period. “The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree” reminds me of how important it is to be prepared for this journey by the right example and how influential those examples become. I’m sure every parent can see themselves in their child or children; the good, bad and the ugly.

Children tend to be a mirror of the environment that molded them, there are times I’m so amazed at the difference between my daughter and son; while given the same love and attention, occupying the same home environment and presented the same example, they were affected in different ways. When I look back over my life I see in my children traits of a grandmother they once knew, friends they have known from childhood and close family members. Each journey different, yet; all merging at an intersection of life sharing their experiences. All of them pondering the reason for the journey, a question that has perplexed travelers for generations.

I’m reminded of a generation that had the answer but didn’t recognize it. His was the greatest story ever told, not from a storybook but from a life well lived and a life sacrificed for others. The embodiment of unconditional love; the example for all to emulate, the plan for humanity from the beginning; to live in harmony with the beautiful world created for them. To walk in love, compassion, understanding and peace with all creation. To heal the hurting, feed the hungry, shelter the homeless, and cover the naked without exceptions. This was the example left for all mankind to follow, however; perfection was marred by deception and disobedience.

Loves beauty was diminished by darkness, mankind’s story forever changed or so it seemed. Love would not relinquish the victory to the darkness consuming everything it touched, love gave all it had to the fight for freedom from the sin engulfing the world. In death love surrendered life for those captured by sin; for the penalty of sin is death. Love claimed the victory over the grave death could not hold it, love lives. Because love lives no matter what your story might be love offers the opportunity to all to rewrite their story. When love is invited into the heart it will remove any darkness it finds and regenerates the life, love changes the end of the story for those willing to be changed.

If when you look into the mirror reflecting your life and what you see is diminished light, let love your story rewrite; love is always there waiting to reclaim it’s own.

My revelation as I sit by the pool of grace