Our deep human need to be loved, to truly belong, is expressed in a beautiful children’s story ‘No Matter What’ by Debi Gliori.

‘Small was feeling grim and dark…

break and snap and bash and batter.

‘Good Grief’ said Large, ‘What is the matter?’

Small said ‘I’m grim and grumpy little Small and nobody loves me at all.’

‘O Small’ said Large. ‘Grumpy or not. I’ll always love you, no matter what.’

Small said ‘If I were a grizzly bear, would you still love me, would you care?’

‘Of course’ said Large. ‘Bear or not. I’ll always love you, no matter what.’

Small said ‘But if I turned into a bug, would you still love me and give me a hug?’

‘O Small’ said Large. ‘Bug or not. I’ll always love you, no matter what.’

‘Does love wear out’ asked Small. ‘Does it break or bend? Can you fix it, stick it, does it mend?’

‘Oh help’ said Large. ‘I’m not that clever, I just know I’ll love you forever’.

Small said ‘But what about when we’re dead and gone? Would you love me then? Does love go on? Large held Small snug as they looked out at the night, at the moon in the dark and the stars shining bright. ‘Small, look at the stars how they shine and glow, but some of those stars died a long time ago. Still they shine in the evening skies, love, like starlight, never dies…Their light’s to remind you no matter how farI’ll always love you, wherever you are.’

In Isaiah 49:15-16, God says, “Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion for the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands.’

with love and prayers

Jenny