Embraced by Love

Photo by Susan Izard

Dear Soul Friends,

Sometimes the beauty of our world is so clear it takes my breath away. It happened one day as I was leaving the Isle of Iona, Scotland on an early morning ferry. I had been on a pilgrimage in late April. It had been a damp chilly week that ended with a rare snowstorm, blanketing the green pastures of Iona in white. The wind, rain, snow and cold seeped through the walls of the Inn and into my bones. Even the sheep in the pastures were hovering next to stone walls hoping for some kind of warmth. But on our final morning the sun came out just as we were crossing from Iona to Mull and the whole world lit up with glory. Light danced off breaking waves and twinkling spray crashed into the massive pink granite outcroppings on the coast of Mull. The snow covered mountains rising in the distance merged with the sky as they sparkled in the sunlight. For a moment, I was transported into the mystery and wonder of the birth of creation. I felt like I was witnessing new light and new birth.

My favorite morning prayer, Matins, by Celtic Christian bard John O’Donhohue invokes a similar understanding and feeling. Each line invites us to begin our day by intertwining our minds and souls with the power and glory of the Creator. As I pray it each morning, I like to notice which line stands out to me. Then I try to focus on that idea throughout the day. The other day, the final line of the second stanza jumped out. 

I arise today 

Blessed by all things, 

Wings of breath,

 Delight of eyes,

 Wonder of whisper,

Intimacy of touch,

Eternity of Soul,

Urgency of thought,

Miracle of health,

Embrace of God.

I felt embraced by God as I traveled home from Iona on that cold, snowy, spring morning. Shocked by the clarity of the earth, sea, and sky, the entire creation radiated holy love and all creation was held in the embrace of God including each of us.

I was reminded of this moment when I sat in church on Sunday listening to a sermon on John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.” The preacher reminded us that the original Greek word for world is Kosmos. 

God so loved the cosmos. God so loved the universe. God so loved all creation. God so loved each of us and all creatures. It sure felt like that on the morning I was leaving Iona. God’s love filled every inch of my being inside and out. 

What would it be like if each of us woke up each morning knowing that we are loved and embraced? What would it be like if we claimed that love and shared it with others? What would it be like if we chose to love the cosmos each morning as we began our day? Would we start by whispering a prayer? “May I be a source of love today. May you show me the way even when it is hard or I stumble for words and actions. May I listen for you and know your guiding presence.”

May you be blessed by God’s embrace as you rise each morning. May you know the strength of Holy love as you walk through your day. May you rejoice in the wonder that unfolds before you.

Deep peace to you,

Susan