AWARE (ah-wah-ray)...

"When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son. The more I called them, the more they went from me... Yet it was I who taught Ephraim to walk, I took them up in my arms; but they did not know that I healed them. I led them with cords of human kindness, with bands of love."

(Hosea 11:1-4a)

The other day I heard a (relatively) new song by country singer, Tim McGraw. It was called, "I Called Mamma." Relaxing song about recognizing the beauty that was all around... and while sitting by a lake in his truck, the singer took the time to call his mom.

I got a little sentimental. My birth mother (Sylvia) died when I was 6.5 years old. My step mom died 6 years ago. I would have loved to call either of them. I was blessed to have a mom (Pat) most of my life. However, I wonder how my life would be enhanced if I could still talk to Sylvia. Child development specialists say that an individual's personality is set by age 4. So I know much of who I am today is because of Sylvia's love and legacy in my life.

In the Old Testament book of Hosea, God speaks through the prophet in chapter 11, reminiscing about the days when God's people (Israel) was a child. How God loved them, healed them, called them, and claimed them. And yet, over time, Israel wandered away and forgot their relationship with God.

That's true in life, isn't it? Sometimes relationships fray. People stray - from one another, and especially from God. There are no guarantees that just because you have children they will automatically love you and remain close with you over the years. But the imprinting... bonding... love that was shared in the early years leaves an indelible mark. That's true with humans towards one another... and humans towards God.

There's a word in Japanese: aware. No, it's not AWARE (like, "Be aware when you cross the street, cars come in every direction!"). It's pronounced AH-WAH-RAY. It's a word that means the experience of both joy and sorrow at the same time. Like when your child leaves for kindergarten for the first time. There's joy that she is growing up and has met an important milestone. But there's also a tinge of sorrow, knowing that sometime down the road, she will leave home with a lifelong partner. Aware.

I think this passage from Hosea is God expressing "aware"... remembering fondly the love that God shared with Israel, but also sorrowful because of how Israel strayed away and left God.

HOWEVER, I also see this as a hope-filled passage! Because God's love has been imprinted on our lives & hearts... even those who have never considered turning to the LORD have God's mark in them. And some day... under the right conditions... they may answer the call of God in their life.

We're all persons of incredible worth. Because we all have been loved with an unending, never failing love from the Almighty.