love changes things

last week i was in my car when i heard the news that corey haim had passed away. i had all the typical thoughts...that's so sad, i'm not terribly surprised, blah blah blah. i grew up in the era of the two coreys and was disappointed to know that another one of my generation had succumbed to a premature death.

a beloved local surgeon also passed away last week. i first learned of his death at my church where he also attended. he was flying a wwII era aircraft that crashed into the gulf of mexico taking both his life and his wife's life. he was known for his charitable work, the copious amounts of money he gave away, and for his humble walk as a christian who was just trying to bless others.

i thought about these two men - one who by all accounts lived a tortured life under the pressures of trying to remain relevant and the other who by all accounts lived a life of freedom and love that surpasses the constraints of this world. what a juxtaposition! witnessing the public reaction to both of these men's lives being cut short was a testament to me.

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i've been listening to ben harper and relentless 7's newest release live from the montreal international jazz festival. the album contains some of ben's old material, as well as some of his material with relentless 7. my favorite track, however, is the band's cover of "under pressure" originally recorded by david bowie and queen. this is one of my all time favorite songs and to hear ben's take on it is quite a treat! the funny thing is that i've sung along to that song for years now without really ever paying attention to all of the lyrics. when i looked them up this week, i was immediately reminded of the contrast of lives that i wrote about above.

"cause love's such an old fashioned word
and love dares you to care for
the people on the edge of the night
and love dares you to change our way of
caring about ourselves..."

i believe that the good doctor knew love, had accepted love, embraced love, and was giving love to others. the actor? perhaps he knew it...but i don't know that he accepted love. if he had, wouldn't he have dared to change his way of caring about himself?

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my prayer is to not only know in my head that i am loved, but to accept that love in my heart by believing that i am worthy enough to receive it. i pray that i will embrace love fully, without reservation, and then life a life of sharing that love with others. i just want to continue the cycle of receiving and giving, so as to bless others.

i pray that you will do the same.

grace and peace,
dana