One love

A devotional by Terry Swenson

Our lives are made up of an amazing, intricate collage of events and moments, of experiences and encounters. All of which swirl and merge to create the artwork of our lives.  Many of life’s brush strokes are minute, subdued and almost unobservable. Yet there are some that are striking that change the whole composition of our existence. These experiences can run the gambit of what we are — emotional, mental, physical, and spiritual. But all our experiences affect the totality of what makes us living, feeling, perceiving beings.

My wife, Marion, was in the final stages of labor. Our first child, Jasmine, was about to be born. Suddenly, a small screechy cry cut through the cacophony of sounds. She was cared for and swaddled in a blanket by a nurse who turned to me, said, “Here. You can hold her.” And promptly handed her to me as she turned to assist my wife.

In my hands I held this little life. Every part of my being was engaged in high alert mode! I was terrified that I would crush her or drop her! Then it happened. That transcendent moment when I looked into my baby’s eyes. It was like a jolt of electricity that went from the top on my head to the bottom of my feet. A rushing wave of love flowed through me for this little human thrust into my existence. And I knew that I would love her forever and give my life for her if need be.

Love will do that to you. Because that is exactly what love is all about:

“Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future.”   —Ephesians 4:2-4 NLT.

Love transforms everything and everyone that experiences it and gives it to those around them. It makes us one. It connects the very core of us all. Love — true love — makes us one with God, which makes us one with each other, which transforms us as well as how we interact with each other. THAT is the most powerful medicine that LLUH has to offer! That is what transforms lives! That is what will keep us true to our calling to make others and ourselves whole. That is the sum of the teaching and healing mission and ministry of Jesus. 

One love!

—Terry Swenson, DMin, is director of University Spiritual Care.