John 4:7-8 “Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.  Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.”

I have heard it said that love is a choice. When I reflect upon this meaning I find it expands my perspective. Of primary importance in life are the loving relationships we cultivate with others. There are the conventional bonds we form with our family, spouse or partner, friends and coworkers or with a person who may inexplicably awaken our soul.

Relationships are assignments in the sense that they are our greatest teachers. We are called to love one another. Often our closest relationships subconsciously trigger our deepest wounds. Vision clouds over and we find it difficult to see beyond surface irritations, frustrations and the conflicts that inevitably arise. Noticing our internal thoughts, feelings and reactions are helpful in raising self-awareness, especially when approached gently with forgiveness. Loving imperfectly is still a choice to love.

Only as we forgive others can we experience forgiveness for ourselves. Last night I watched a poignant movie that illustrated this spiritual truth. "The Railway Man" takes place during WWII and is based on a true story about a young English soldier who is taken prisoner in Singapore.

While in captivity he experienced horrific torture. Years later he continues to suffer vivid flashbacks that are destroying his peace of mind. Eventually, he finds his perpetrator and plans to inflict unimaginable cruelty before killing him. He confronts the man about the atrocities and finally asks him "why are you still alive?" The man answers," perhaps for this day" when he expresses his grief and sorrow for what he did to him. Unexpectedly, the soldier experiences the grace of forgiveness. In time both men begin to find inner peace and healing from the years of inner misery. They remain friends for the rest of their lives.

At the core of every person is a goodness that is always there but may become clouded over; the essence of a person’s soul is beautiful. 

~liz Sorensen Wessel

Photo taken by my cousin, Ingrid Bond