Ministry Musing

By Donna Kelly

It’s hard for me to believe that it is a new year already. For me, 2025 flew by!

Recently, I was reminded of something I heard in a keynote address quite a few years ago that has stayed close to my heart and spirit. Fr. John Powell was speaking at a convention for a marriage ministry that my husband and I were part of for many years. I don’t remember what he spoke about, or anything else that he said other than, “There is nothing you can do to make God love you any more than God already does, and there is nothing you can do to make God love you any less than God already does!”

What an amazing statement about the “overwhelming, never ending, restless love of God”. Sometimes we get down on ourselves, wondering what our purpose is or if we are worthy of the love of God and other people. Some may picture God as one who keep tabs on every action, evaluating if the measure up. We believe other people are doing that and often we may wonder if God does the same. Frequently we imagine God to be like the people we know and the life we experience.

But as this new year begins, I hope you take to heart the statement Fr. John Powell made, “There is nothing you can do to make God love you any more than God already does, and there is nothing you can do to make God love you any less than God already does!” Read that again; sit with it. Hold it in your mind and your spirit until you believe it. Let the love of God flood you with the Spirit and always remember, you are God’s beloved child and always will be.

Donna Kelly

Contact Donna at Donna at: donna@sotpmail.com