Inspire: Unfailing Love and a Heart Like Mine

4/25/2010

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think the movie got it as right as possible.

Seeing Jesus' savage death unfold before my eyes, my heart was pierced with these words: "I did this for you. I chose to suffer all this agony for you and if you were the only soul to ever live, I would have done it only for you. This is how much you are worth to Me."

Loosed in that moment was the last brittle claw of doubt and insecurity and it fell off my heart like dead wood. My Jesus reached down for me and pulled me securely to the top of that rock, and planted a confidence in my heart that was immovable.

You and I are loved beyond our comprehension. No language exists that can capture the quality of His love for us and the lengths to which He has gone to rescue His lost children. Only the Word Himself can say it.

You and I are wretched with sin; full of pride and selfishness; hard-hearted and easily tempted; slow to learn and slow to love. All that is true. Truer still is that the perfect Lamb of God has taken our punishment upon Himself, made Himself the sacrifice for our sins, plunged into hell and conquered death forever - all out of love. Truer still is that you and I are precious to His heart and worth the price of His own blood. Any feeling or thought or voice that says, "No, that's not true" is just the hiss of a snake.

If this matter isn't settled completely in your own heart, I pray it will be today. You are loved! I offer you the most amazing little prayer that was given to me by my pastor; a prayer for truth that has been very powerful for me: "Lord, tell me who You are, and then tell me who I am." I know He delights in answering those questions for me!

Jesus answered my prayer for a "heart transplant." That particular rock I believe I will not climb again; now on to the next one. Do not lose hope, weary climbers, but persevere in faith! He who loves us so deeply will not leave us in a heap on our rumps, but will set our feet high on that rock, where we will testify to His transforming love.

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Jennifer Hartline is a grateful Catholic, a proud Army wife and mother of four precious children (one in Heaven). She is a contributing writer for Catholic Online. She's also a serious chocoholic. Visit her at My Chocolate Heart.
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Pope Benedict XVI's Prayer Intentions for January 2013
General Intention: The Faith of Christians. That in this Year of Faith Christians may deepen their knowledge of the mystery of Christ and witness joyfully to the gift of faith in him.
Missionary Intention: Middle Eastern Christians. That the Christian communities of the Middle East, often discriminated against, may receive from the Holy Spirit the strength of fidelity and perseverance.

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1 - 10 of 18 Comments

Mercy o
1 year ago
Tank u jennifer 4 dis great talk
Anthony James
2 years ago
Jennifer, God has given you a great gift. Continue to use it to bring others souls closer to Him. Mere words fail miserably to describe the Love God has for us. However, real descriptions of how God reveals His love to us come as close as anything to describing that love. Please continue your work. May God continue to give you strength to bring us ever more hope through your articles inspired by the Holy Spirit.
PS The drawing attached to your article really touched me.
MICHAEL G. ALBANO
2 years ago
JENNIFER, HOW SUBTLE HE IS BY WORKING THROUGH YOUR WORDS ESPECIALLY TO OLIVIA. ALMOST A WHISPER. CAN YOU HEAR HIM? HE SAYS "I LOVE YOU MORE THAN YOU WILL EVER KNOW"!
Jennifer Hartline
3 years ago
Olivia,
Allow me to tell you again: You are Loved. And again: You are Loved. And again: You are passionately Loved! You were created on purpose by the most imaginative and loving Father of all, and He smiles as He looks at you. Your place in life is to be His daughter and to abide in His love for you. Nothing on earth can satisfy the emptiness -- only Love Himself can do that. You never can repay Him, so it's a good thing He doesn't ask for repayment! He asks that we let Him love us, and that we love Him and each other with all our heart, soul, mind and strength. Do not lose hope; He is answering your prayers. You are loved this very moment, as you are. I'll remember you in my prayers. Oh -- one more thing. Did I mention that YOU ARE LOVED?!
Michael Russell
3 years ago
Jennifer, your article reinforced some of the messages from my recent Emmaus retreat. It IS difficult for us to conceive of the LOVE Jesus has for all of us. This is one of the mysteries that makes loving Him so wonderful.
Olivia
3 years ago
I cant even begin to put into word how i feel...I have felt unloved for a very long time. I have had past relationships that have made me feel even worse. I cant seem to find my place in life. Even though I have been blessed with two beautiful children and now going on my third.... i still feel empty! I pray that God will answer my prayers & someday I can repay him, by serving him, and be whole again! This article has helped me realize that there is hope for me after all! Thank you, God bless!
Per Finsaas
3 years ago
Thank you Jennifer for sharing this with us.
You are a gifted writer. We know who gives such gifts! I read your work and I praise Him.
Elva
3 years ago
Thank you Jennifer, this is a beautiful message that deserves to be shared. I have often felt alone at times, and weary, but I have always prayed to God for strength. The feeling of loneliness came back at times, but I have always prayed and persevered over it. Yes the snake is always somewhere hissing in our ears, but we have to ignore it and keep moving on. I'm still climbing that hill, and I prayers go out to everyone still climbing. God bless everyone, and pass along the love.
wilma helm
3 years ago
I have felt this unloved feelings at times in the darkness of my soulknowing what a sinner I am how can I be loved but with constant devotion to the eucharist I climb that hill even though my trials are many love conquors all thank you for sharingyou are never alone
Vilerry
3 years ago
it really reminds me of how I started to feel God's love in my life a year ago.

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