Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits: who forgives all your iniquities, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from destruction, who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies. Psalm 103:1-4 NKJV.

Our next chapter begins with the book Song of Songs. It was written by Solomon, early in his reign as king of Israel, for his bride. 8 chapters with back-and-forth between Solomon (He), his bride (She), and friends (Friends). She begins on their wedding day: Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth – for your love is more delightful than wine. Pleasing is the fragrance of your perfumes; your name is like perfume poured out. No wonder young women love you! Take me away with you – let us hurry! Let the king bring me into his chambers. v. 1:1-4. She goes on to describe her life before Solomon and her fears that that life would make her not beautiful to him. Dark I am, yet lovely, daughters of Jerusalem, dark like the tents of Kedar, like the tent curtains of Solomon. Do not stare at me because I am dark, because I am darkened by the sun. My mother’s sons were angry with me and made me take care of the vineyards; my own vineyard I had to neglect. Tell me, you whom I love, where you graze your flock and where you rest your sheep at midday. Why should I be like a veiled woman beside the flocks of your friends? v. 5-7. The friends reassure her v. 4, 8. And then Solomon speaks…I liken you, my darling, to a mare among Pharaoh’s chariot horses. Your cheeks are beautiful with earrings, your neck with strings of jewels. We will make you earrings of gold, studded with silver…How beautiful you are, my darling! Oh, how beautiful! Your eyes are doves. v. 8-11, 15.

When I think about all of us, all of humanity, with all of our fears and doubts and ideas about what is beautiful and what is not, I am brought back to the love of Creator God – Father…Son…Spirit. Were it not for God’s love, we would not be. How often do I go to God afraid He cannot love me because of all that I am, and He reminds me I am loved. Love is given in so many ways: the love of lovers, the love of children and parents, the love of friends…and before all and through all, the love of God for us. Hold fast to God’s love because with His love for you, you can grow. He provides the love needed for us to love others and how we need His provision! I can’t love the way God loves but I can grow in His love given to us for our good always.