illiana image

February 2025

“Many waters cannot quench love; rivers can not sweep it away.” Song of Solomon 8:7

The first time I sent a valentine card to a boy I liked, I used that scripture and signed my name, hoping he will ‘get it’. At that time, I had no idea what love really was and that friendship didn’t last much. However, I never forgot this verse that seemed to be carved in my heart, and this new year keeps coming back to me as a reminder of how invaluable true love is.

All my life, I have experienced God’s love and mercy through faithful, loving Christians. However, it took a seemingly simple medical procedure to realize how truly loved I am. The kind of love that is pure, honest and can’t be bought. The kind of love that can only come from God.

During these days I have received love in so many ways: Cards and phone calls checking on me, friends bringing food and realizing how hard it is to carry things up three flights of stairs, my daughters making sure I always elevate my leg and finding new ways to make me comfortable. They have truly been a blessing.

Being surrounded by the love of the people of God feels like being immersed in a river of love in which ‘many waters’ will never stop. A river of love that cannot be stopped, a river that refreshes the soul and uplifts the heart, a river that renews and restores, that heals and blesses at the same time.

Looking back, I realize that this is a great way to start this new year. I choose to declare it the Year of Love! I resolve to love as much as I can and to receive the love around me. I decide to focus on God’s loving presence in the midst of life’s adversities, troubles or elevated legs. I commit to remember love above everything else and refuse to let negative feelings, bad memories or insecurities diminish that love that holds me up. Year of love, here I come!!!

Blessings!
Rev. Ileana Rosario