I touched on this in other chapters but will expand on the way we can experience the love of Jesus in structured and unstructured prayer. As I suggested in previous chapters, it would be good to set a certain amount of time a day for just you and Jesus. You can structure this time any way you find helpful. Some people like structured prayers to help them become centered in being with Jesus. I have several prayers at the end of the book which might be helpful. But those prayers are just the start. They can lead you into an intimate prayer deep within yourself. There are a variety of ways to do this, and for each person it is different. Some like to be silent and just be with Jesus. They try and go beyond thoughts and feelings and just unite themselves with Jesus. Having done this myself, I find it brings me much peace and experience of Jesus that’s very difficult to explain, but helps me be much more aware of Jesus’ presence during the day. Some people like to journal their thoughts, like writing a letter to Jesus. This can help us communicate with Him in a manner that’s comfortable. What’s great about this is you can look back on it and see how Jesus is very much present in your life and how he answered prayers that you’ve brought to him in the past. Many times, these answered prayers were not in the way you expected but turned out to be just what you needed. Even thought you might not have thought so at the time. Another form of prayer is music. For some, listening to Christian or meditative music can help us relax enough to experience Jesus’ love within us. The wonderful light of His peace and serenity. Others add dance to the music to express this love, and the dance becomes a prayer. Some find drawing helps free the mind to express the love of Jesus through images; this is a creative way to get in touch with Jesus’ light within.

Another way is noticing nature and letting nature speak to you. This may sound strange, but for those of you who have experienced this, you know what I mean. When at the ocean I just sit and free myself of thoughts and feelings, then I focus on the mist of the ocean, smell the fresh air and listen to the sound of the waves. It’s like the ocean and I become one. That is also experiencing creation and the love of Jesus. Reflecting on a rose and smelling its fragrance, touching its soft petals, letting it speak to you. Not in words, of course, but just becoming one with God’s creation. Oh, what a wonderful prayer!

These are just a few examples. You can choose a way that is right for you. Don’t be surprised if after a time you change your prayer. Not only is that all right, it’s expected. Follow your heart and the inner light of Jesus.
The second focus of this chapter is finding love with other people. As you might guess, I’m not talking about sexual love. Even though that is very natural and a wonderful part of loving your spouse. I’m talking about the little things people do that show us the love of Jesus. As a parent, have you ever had your child come home and be so excited to give you a drawing? This is their masterpiece, and they want to give it to you! What a wonderful sign of love. When you’re at the grocery store, and even though the clerk is busy, he smiles at you and asks how you’re doing. This is a simple act of kindness, yet it can brighten your day.

These and many other experiences show us that Jesus is with us and alive in our lives. We just need to open our eyes and hearts. A powerful way to show love is when someone is sick or dying. I visited a man who was dying; it was decided to stop his life support machines the next day. They didn’t expect him to live very long after that. It was such an honor being with him in this major transition in his life. As strange as it sounds, I felt joy. I knew he was going to a wonderful place. I witnessed a light around him. Wondering if it was just the light in the room or if I was imagining things, I told my spiritual director and she believed this was spiritual. I saw the light of Jesus over his head. Another sign of Jesus’ love.

These are some examples; I’m sure you will have your own. Each day, Jesus shows us His love—both in structured prayer and our daily experiences. The light of Jesus is present seven days a week, twenty-four hours a day. Even when we sleep, Jesus looks after us. That is such a comforting and peaceful truth.

Activity

Today be mindful of all the ways Jesus shows His love. If it is helpful, you can write theù down and bring them to prayer in any way you wish. How does it feel to know the love of Jesus is present to you always?

Prayer: Come to the Loving Heart of Jesus

Come to the loving heart of Jesus
When you are lonely, come
When you are frightened, come
When you have lost a loved one, come
When the world seems to be
falling in around you, come
When you feel confused, come
When you need forgiveness, come
Come to the loving heart of Jesus
and He will give you rest