How much do I love you?
A thought for Valentines Day, and a weekend of love. The shops are crammed with all manner of gifts, declaring love, but there is so much more to love than that – and more kinds of love.
I’ve had this in my files for years, but it still seems to capture the depth of God’s love. Unfortunately I’ve got no idea where I got it from, or who wrote it – if you know, please let me know.
How much do I love you my child?
Enough to let you go. Enough to let you fall,
enough to let you make your own decisions if you so desire.
I love you enough to let you hurt me, to let you turn away,
to let you make your own mistakes.
I love you enough to never force myself upon you,
to not intrude when you choose to look away.
I love you enough to wait patiently at your side
and watch with sadness when you stumble.
I love you enough to long for you to turn to me,
to talk with me, to share with me the joys and sorrows of your life.
I love you enough to forgive you when you’ve hurt me,
enough to wash you clean when you’ve hurt yourself.
I love you enough to look forward with you
and not to look back at you,
enough to plan ahead
knowing that you will leave me out of some of the most precious moments
we’ve planned together.
How much do I love you my child?
I love you enough to hold you, to hug you,
to comfort you when you need me.
I love you enough to prompt others,
to cause circumstances to work together to meet your needs.
I love you enough to be your shoulder to cry on, without searching for words,
enough to carry you when you can’t go on,
to support you when no-one else can, when nothing else makes sense.
How much do I love you my child?
Enough to give my son for you, that you may walk in freedom,
that you may come so close to me that you feel my breath upon you.
I love you enough to be your constant guide and friend,
to never tire of being with you;
Enough to want the very best for you;
to want you to be the very most of the person you were meant to be.
Enough even to be what you need me to be.
I love you enough to look back in your time, my timelessness,
to heal the hurt child within your adult frame.
Enough to reach in and put the past to right, that you may grow;
Enough to want you whole, trusting in me for each new day.
I love you my child, I always have, I always will,
Enough to want to share my life with you for ever.
Pam's Perambulation 