REFLECTIONS

Love’s
When I came to believe in Christ’s teaching, I
ceased desiring what I had wished for before. The di-
rection of my life, my desires, became different. What
was good & bad changed places.—Leo Tolstoy

Gift Love Is
Love is the filling from one’s own,
Another’s cup;
Love is the daily laying down
n the days before the Civil War in And taking up;
the United States, a young black A choosing of the stony path
girl was being sold at an auction. Through each new day,
She was a beautiful girl, tall and That other feet may tread with ease
slender. The bidding was intense, A smoother way.
and quickly mounted higher and higher until at last
only two were left vying for her ownership: one a Love is not blind, but looks abroad
coarse man who cursed and swore as he raised his Through other eyes;
bids against the other, a dignified gentleman. Finally And asks not, “Must I give?” but “May
the bidding stopped, and to the quiet man who had so I sacrifice?”
earnestly bid were given the papers which made him Love hides its grief, that other hearts
the lawful owner of the young girl. And lips may sing;
With a shove the auctioneer presented her to her And burdened walks, that other lives
new master. She stood defiantly before him, hating May buoyant wing.
him with every fiber of her being. Suddenly a change
came over her face; a look of amazement changed Hast thou a love like this that dwells
to incredulity as she saw her owner ripping up the Within thy soul?
papers of ownership. With a kind smile he said, “My ‘Twill crown thy life with bliss when thou
dear, you are free. I bought you that I might free you.” Dost reach the goal.
Too stunned for speech, the girl merely stared un- —Author Unknown
til finally she threw herself at his feet, crying out with
tears and happiness, “Oh master! I’ll love and serve Dost thou so love and give to all
you all my life!” To such degree?
What the papers of ownership could not do, the “Nay,” thou answeredst still, “alas,
man’s kindness had won completely. “’Tis not in me.”
Someone has loved you and has “paid” for you But from our meager store, ‘tis true,
with His life!—A high price indeed! By suffering a We cannot share
cruel death in your place, Jesus paid the price that Such wealth unless Another puts
was necessary for the bonds of evil to be loosed from This love in there.
you. Whatever has bound you—your past, your sins,
your weaknesses—He has broken those bonds, and Dost ask Who puts a love
all you need to do to experience the freedom He So great within?
gives is to accept Jesus as your Lord and Master, to The Prince of Peace Who loved and gave!—
invite Him into your heart and to let Him have His Now I love Him.
way in your life. He has “bought” you, so that He In loving Him my soul has found
can set you free. Its joy and rest;
“Ye are bought with a price. … If the Son there- Through Him I give to others of
fore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed” (1 His love, His best.
Corinthians 6:20; John 8:36 KJV). —Chloe West
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R17
Reflections © 1993 The Family
Chloe West is a full-time volunteer with The Family.
Visit our Web site at www.thefamily.org.

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R300 GP—March 2004 Topics: death, Heaven, loved ones waiting on the other side, faith