Wondrous Love
Linda Booth, Council of Twelve Apostles
And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. “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. “Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Those who believe in him are not condemned; but those who do not believe are condemned already, because they have not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil. For all who do evil hate the light and do not come to the light, so that their deeds may not be exposed. But those who do what is true come to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that their deeds have been done in God.” -John 3:14-21
Traveling with Dad on his journey to death was not easy for our family or for him. As Dad’s dementia worsened, he became more confused, less talkative, and more removed from reality and each of us.
Late one afternoon as I stood by his wheelchair, he called me by name and said, “Did you know that God so loved the world?”
“Yes, Daddy,” I responded. “That’s one of my favorite scriptures. I try to weave it into all my sermons.”
“No,” he said. “Do you know that God so loved the world?”
“Yes, Daddy!”
Again and again he asked me the same question, and I would respond, “Yes!” Finally he declared, “It’s marvelous, isn’t it?”
“Yes, Daddy, it is.”
“Well then, Linda, if you know it, then you better make sure that everyone else knows it, too.”
Dad died several weeks later on January 10, 2014. I still miss him. However, that last coherent conversation lives within me. I treasure the memory that challenges and guides me each day.
For if I truly believe that God loves all people, then I will love all people-the good and the bad, the just and the unjust, the lovable and the unlovable. As Jesus’ disciple, I will reflect a Christ-like love that reveals God’s unmerited grace and generosity. God is generous love. Dad was right; it is marvelous.
Prayer Phrase
I surrender into your love.
Spiritual Practice
Centering Prayer
Set a timer for 20 minutes. (If that feels like too much at first, choose a time that will be comfortable for you as a starting place, committing to expand that time in future prayer.) Allow the rhythm of your breath to draw you deeper and deeper into silence. As you breathe, claim one sacred word (Christ, peace, grace, trust, etc.) emerging in you as an anchor to return you to the intention of your prayer when your thoughts begin to wander. Gently release the thoughts and images that come, making space for presence to the One who is with you here and now. Release, return, “be vulnerable to divine grace” (Doctrine and Covenants 163:10b).
Today’s Prayer for Peace
Engage in a daily practice of praying for peace in our world. Click here to read today’s prayer and be part of this practice of peace.
