sorrow and love

"See, from His head, His hands, his side,
Sorrow and love flow mingled down"

These words play in my head all morning.
Sorrow and love. Love and sorrow. Mingled down. Pouring out.
God's Work, in vivid colors.

Sorrow and Love.  How they are entertwined!
This purple flood pours from the heavens, from God onto His children.

sorrow
grief
longing
compassion
reaching
aching
calling-back love.

yearning
embracing
peace-giving
serving
suffering-with
love
for me.

seeking
forgiving
pursuing
atoning
making whole
gift-love.

aching
urgent
healing
poured-out
reconciling the world to Himself
love.

body and blood
sweat and tears
life unto death
given
love
for you.

We sit with open hands, under the open heavens of a generous God whose sorrow and love flows mingled down.

Receive.
Rest.
Rejoice.
Be still.
Be at peace.
Be loved.

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Messy meditations, shared with you because someday I might talk to you about journaling as a form of meditation: sloppy, imperfect, playing-with-paint prayer time. But not today.

When I survey the wondrous cross

On which the Prince of glory died,

My richest gain I count but loss,

And pour contempt on all my pride.

Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast,

Save in the death of Christ my God!

All the vain things that charm me most,

I sacrifice them to His blood.

See from His head, His hands, His feet,

Sorrow and love flow mingled down!

Did e’er such love and sorrow meet,

Or thorns compose so rich a crown?

Were the whole realm of nature mine,

That were a present far too small;

Love so amazing, so divine,

Demands my soul, my life, my all.