Love never fails. // 1 Corinthians 13:8
I instinctively drew my hand across my body in the Sign of the Cross as I drove past my parish, acknowledging Christ’s Eucharistic presence.
Just as instinctively, my eyes darted to the cars around me and I wondered, What will they think?
The usual guilt followed: They’re probably not even paying attention. I should love Jesus enough to not care! Directing my frustration to God, I prayed for the thousandth time, Lord, how can I be free of this wound of vanity? These automatic thoughts are so ingrained!
In a moment, a new thought came to mind: What if this gesture when you see Me is less about proving your love for Me, and more about remembering My love for you?
My heart melted instantly.
As the days passed, I realized that this response wasn’t limited to a singular moment or habit. The Lord was inviting me to an entire paradigm shift. He wanted me to start translating everything in my life so I could see it through the lens of His relentless love.
The Sign of the Cross before meals? A reminder of His intentional provision even when I don’t notice.
That ministry project or prayer request from a friend? A reminder of His loving desire to invite me into His work, even with my human weakness.
My faults, failings, and weaknesses? A reminder of His abundant patience, redemption, and strength.
My suffering and unanswered prayers? A reminder His desire for my growth, and the Love Who willingly surrendered His life in the hope of spending forever with me.
You’re invited into this paradigm shift, too: to view each moment not as something that happens to you, but as a divine orchestration of God’s personal love for you. In every success or failure, every uncertainty and wound of identity, every difficulty and tragedy, the Lord wants to redeem all things out of ravishing love for you. His burning desire for you is written into every detail. It always has been, and it always will be.
Today, accept His eager invitation to receive that love—now and into eternity.
Megan Hjelmstad is a wife, enthusiastic hockey mom, and Army Veteran living in Denver, CO. In her “spare” time she serves as a Catholic Writer, Speaker, and Women’s Mentor, helping women to embrace their God-given dignity and deepen their prayer relationship with the Lord. She is the author Offer it Up: Discovering the Power and Purpose of Suffering, a writer for SpiritualDirection.com, and a longtime team member of Blessed is She. Megan adores books, sleep, sunshine, and Colorado’s great outdoors almost as much as she adores Jesus in the Eucharist. Learn more at MeganHjelmstad.com.
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