Love and Wings

Love and wings bloom inside me. – Anne Rivers Siddeons Off Season

Sometimes in my reading, a line jumps out and then lingers in my mind. I love it when that happens, especially in a novel that I’m reading purely for enjoyment. So I was thinking about love and wings…

Yesterday we had a time of paschal fellowship with extended family at the home of my youngest sister. We sang, listened to an Easter reading, shared communion, and then ate of a generous meal. Several times throughout the evening, I felt tears well up in my eyes, even running down my face. I knew where it was coming from. Love. God’s love for me. My love for Him. My love for my children. Love for my family. It sounds corny, but I just wanted to hug everyone in that room. I know that we sometimes disagree, and that we have blind spots and sins. But I also know that love is a great covering. My sister Maggie has been such an inspiration to me in her expressions of love. I just love people, she says. I can’t say it any better.

And that’s what’s so amazing about this season of death and resurrection. God’s extravagant love in the gift of Jesus. Jesus’ love in giving his life. The power of the resurrection to overcome the strength of un-love. Love wins!

Which brings me to wings. What sort of wings bloom inside me? Here I also have Maggie to thank.  Fairy wings. Wings of imagination and fantasy. Gauzy wings that are transparent and yet powerful, lifting me beyond my weariness and the mundane to view things from above and cherish the beauty of Spring. Wings of the tiny hummingbird and powerful eagle that hover over the blooms in the garden and sail around the mountaintops and pines.

Angels’ wings that carrying me to the arms of God and back to the embrace of my children. Wings that bear me over the stormy billows and into the safe cleft of the rock. Wings of freedom and life. Oh, I’m sure I sound loony—I’m almost laughing out loud at myself. And yet...

...Close your eyes. Take a deep breath. Feel love well up inside you for all of creation. Let go and feel the wings unfold, catching the wind and lifting you up. Amazing, right?