When I Fall in Love

The love overwhelmed me. Jesus had me saying and doing things I thought unimaginable.

These arms would shoot up in praise and worship during Sunday service. Normally, I stood only to sing, and sat quietly soaking in the message. I don’t know but maybe I fancied myself deep.

The first time I heard myself shout "Hallelujah" I was startled and reckoned it was time to change churches. All of the rolling eyes accompanied by grunts and groans were the red flags. (“Will someone inform Sister Caldwell, we don’t do that here?”)

Prayer time would fly by without me falling asleep or losing my train of thought. Instead of skimming through a list of requests, I’d actually talk to God about everything – my job, fears of aging, desires to cut off a few ears … It was a privilege to be in His presence.

And at some point, before going off to sleep, I’d begun the habit of whispering, "I love you, Lord." There wasn’t a trace of fear or trepidation in my voice or in those declarations.

I meant what I said.

You see, a chief issue I’d grappled with was equating His love for me with the tentative, conditional love human beings offer. I was looking for the catch and there are none.

Jesus’ patience with me was phenomenal. He met me where I was and wooed me. He knew I needed to like Him first, because He knew I loved deeply.

Nat King Cole crooned about my love affair with Jesus: “When I fall in love it will be forever or I’ll never fall in love ... When I give my heart it will be completely or I’ll never give my heart … And the moment I can feel that you feel that way too is when I fall in love with you.”

Praise God, this love is eternal and everlasting. It’s so priceless.