Love Saves Us

"If nothing saves us from death, at least love should save us from life."

Pablo Neruda

In a beautiful photo book our son Scott created for us, filled to the brim with stunning photos of our grandchildren, there are also some amazing quotes on love. Neruda's is one of my favorites.

Life is hard.

My friend Kathy, like many others of late, has been living in the deep end of suffering. She has cancer and is going through rigorous treatment. She lost her hair. She also lost her dad. She's a pediatric oncology nurse - which sounds hard every day, and she's being doing it for decades. Hard times. Lots of suffering.

But one Sunday of late she chose to get baptized. And it was, by all accounts, glorious. Our community knows how to throw a baptism. There were banners (handmade with her favorite colors), butterflies (she loves butterflies), a gift table, food and a setting that was so beautiful, it could only be described as heavenly. I lost count, but she expected 5 people to show up and at one point I counted 40. She doesn't talk much in front of crowds, but that day? She spoke to her friends and family with a voice of conviction, hope and gratitude. I will never, ever, baptize anyone who is MORE grateful than Kathy.

Love saved her life. Love is saving our lives. Love saved the life of those who gathered for that holy experience. Nothing saves us from death...love saves us from life. Amen.