Craig Clouston

The Eyes of Love

But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love…

Psalm 33:18

The funeral service was one of reflection. Much was said about little Hope’s quick smile, her infectious laughter, and how she and her pal, Rufus, an eighty pound English bulldog, had spent much of her short life playing on the floors of the Tickle home.

As the pastor’s focus shifted from Hope to facing our own mortality, my thoughts drifted. Images of Hope dancing with Jesus filled my mind. I could see them hand-in-hand, the ‘Newbie’ to Heaven and the King of Kings! Hope, laughing her tiny, infectious little laugh, looking up into the eyes of perfect love, and He, the God of Creation, joining in the laughter, gazing down at her with an expression of matchless love and devotion.

Brought back to the present by the end of the service, I was struck by how Hope’s parents were handling her death. I was witnessing strength born of a transcendent love, something otherworldly, divine. That love was bearing them up right now. And with this knowledge came an understanding that they would be alright; they would, with this divine comfort, and the support of family and friends, stand together through it all. Because reflecting from their eyes was Someone else’s love.

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Today’s text assures us that God’s eyes do not stray from those who love Him. He is committed to walking with us through our grief, and carrying us when we can’t walk on our own in the presence of piercing heartache, emptiness, frustration and anger, even anger at Him. And this is the love we are to model not only for our children, but to the world.

We have a responsibility to love beyond what is humanly possible; to love with a love that is unfailing and more perfect than we ourselves are capable of. Were it not for God’s unfailing love being modeled during their childhood, Hope’s parents’ journey through grief would be entirely different.

God’s love through us can and will bridge the deepest valleys and light the darkest nights.

Prayer

“Lord, teach me to love beyond myself, to love with Your unfailing love. And when I’m the one experiencing the loss, love me through others who have faced this pain. Amen.”