My Daughter’s Never-Ending Love Song

By Karen Friday

“Lord, let me love you with my whole heart, none above you. Lord, let me love you with my whole heart, none above you. Lord, let me love you….”

Repeat. Repeat again.

As I rocked my infant son in the living room, my husband filmed our daughter Megan on video. Nearly four years old, a few of her enjoyments in life were kid’s classes at church, watching children’s videos, and playing with dolls. But Megan sparkled with merriment when singing.

Enjoyments came to life for the camera; songs, quoting a memory verse, or random question-answer time prompted by mom and dad. “Where did we go today?” and “Tell everybody how old you are?” Memories and moments captured on film.

My Whole Heart

For this feature film, Megan happily belted out several children’s tunes, bouncing around the room and landing on various furniture pieces—and musical notes.  Loving the Lord with her whole heart fell in the fourth or fifth spot on Megan’s playlist.

This song was stuck on repeat. Singing the same line multiple times, trying to remember if there were more lyrics and where they went next. Several pauses with a pondering look, “what are the other words?”

Seconds later, “Lord, let me love you….” No ending to this particular song and no other words except loving the Lord with a whole heart and having none above Him.

My husband and I discussed that video a few months ago. The Lord spoke to my heart; “Megan was on to something. It is a never-ending song. Love me with your whole heart, not loving anyone or anything above me.”

A never-ending love song played out in scripture. Jesus noted, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment.” (Matthew 22:37 ESV)

None Above God

The old testament affirms the lyrics. When Solomon assembled the elders and heads of the tribes of Israel to bring up the Ark of the Covenant (the most holy place), the Lord’s glory filled the house.

Then Solomon stood before the altar of the Lord in front of the whole assembly of Israel, spread out his hands toward heaven and said: “Lord, the God of Israel, there is no God like you in heaven above or on earth below—you who keep your covenant of love with your servants who continue wholeheartedly in your way.” (1 Kings 8:22-23 NIV)

Favorite Love Songs

I recall my favorite secular love songs through the years. Each carries memorable melodies with sweet lyrics denoting loyalty of heart. Staying true to real love.

Megan was on to something. Staying true to real love.

Love. For. A. Real. God. Loyalty of heart for The One who is above all.

We often give pieces of our heart away. Hopelessly devoted to other loves—people or things in this life. Loyalty to Jesus becomes a half-hearted attempt to love Him. But it’s not supreme.

Half-hearted-love would never be acceptable from my husband. If part of his heart affections belonged to another woman, it would break my heart. Less than whole-hearted devotion ( 1/3, 1/2, or even 3/4) is not acceptable in my love relationship with the God of the universe.

The never-ending love song should be on my playlist every day . . . every moment—all my life. Love-words instilled in the depths of my heart.

Standing before the altar of the Lord, spreading out my hands to heaven, and sparkling with merriment:

“Lord, I love you with my whole heart. I am in love with you—more than anyone or anything. You are supreme in my life, in my heart. There is none above you. ”

Repeat. Repeat again.

 

© 2015 by Karen Friday, All rights reserved