I recently saw an image on Facebook which featured some words about love being reckless. Google searches this morning with that phrase turned up quotes from Rumi among others. I’m not sure what all the image I saw said, but what struck me was the notion of recklessness. It’s an adjective that has been applied to me from time to time. I move quickly. I jump to yes or no in the blink of an eye. I’m willing to risk. I can be free in my interpretation of rules and norms. I talk loudly. I post bold political statements. Recklessness is negative in our culture. It has meant in my life not careful or not considerate. Every time I get called out for being reckless I am chastened, but it never really changes me. Over time I’ve realized that recklessness is actualy sometimes a spiritual gift, a postive.
This really hit home for me a few years ago when someone we welcomed in to our home as a guest for a night was arrested and pled guilty to charges related to child pornography. Was my willingness to host friends of friends and people in Portland for church meetings a dangerous thing for my family? My child was not a victim, but it did give me pause. And in that pausing I prayed. The word that came to me was to keep loving. I decided that I wasn’t going to let one person’s brokeness, sin, and crimes change me. We put bells on our daughter’s door, changed the configuration of rooms, and conitnued to let people stay with us.
Love is reckless. It makes us vulnerable. Love has my family inviting folks in to our home, sharing a dinner table weekly. BecauseI love I give away money to refugees, our parish, the local schools, and community gofundmes. Love is what made me run for school board and has me sleeping with my phone on by the bed everynight just in case.
So the next time someone tells me I’m reckless I’m going to smile, because I think this just might be my God given super power.
-Eilidh
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