At the 10am service yesterday we heard the beautiful reading from Hosea describing God’s love for his people. In terms which have often been described as the love of both a mother and of a father towards their children. “…it was I who taught Ephraim to walk, I took them up in my arms; but they did not know that I healed them. I led them with cords of human kindness, with bands of love. I was to them like those who lift infants to their cheeks. I bent down to them and fed them.” (Hosea 11: 3,4)
It is not always easy to feel loved by God. That is especially so when things are going badly, when we are hurting or suffering, because we can feel that God’s being there is making no difference. But it can be just as hard when things are going well, even if we are genuinely grateful. How are we to direct that gratitude towards a loving God?
As Mark suggested yesterday, we can revisit the Hosea reading during the week, and we can picture the beautiful relationship depicted. And perhaps bask in it. And we can pray. Here are three prayerful verses from a well-known hymn:
Breathe on me, Breath of God,
fill me with life anew,
that I may love the way you love,
and do what you would do.
Breathe on me, Breath of God,
until my heart is pure,
until my will is one with yours,
to do and to endure.
Breathe on me, Breath of God,
so shall I never die,
but live with you the perfect life
for all eternity.
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