God is Love - and it's not just a cheesy quote

she adores stars, and put them in her ears. three tatoos down her neck, one that she showed me by pulling down her shirt on her chest
the stars around it was for the different something-puncture spots on your body

her husband, looked like an alaskian fisherman, cap, flannel shirt, beard
a simply man
looked on and listened, without comment besides his sheepish grin
he was proud of her but didn't really know what to think of all a' that

the tattoos read "love, compassion, peace" and she hoped she'd know what they read when she was old, she said

the one on her chest was something about the ora, or god, but i dont think she was talking about the same god I know

i was thinking this morning about God, the one over me, through me, in me
(he led me to read Eph 4:6)
and I began to feel extremely priviledged, boastful, excited that God is real
and that he has chosen me
and that he is not just an ora, or a thing out there
but He beckons me with His hand
and LOVES me enough to put His own son on the cross
and gives me names like
daughter
bride
chosen one
treasured possession

this is who I am
this is my identity
this is what I believe about myself
and anyone who tells me or treats me differently
has something coming to them
[and tells me something about the way I should treat others]
with all kindness, grace
love,
forgiveness
[holding nothing over them]

i remember that note my mom had written and left on the counter with her slanted handwriting that i was always jealous of
"do not think you can talk to me anyway you want to, because I am the BRIDE of Christ
and He is my Defender, and my Love."

cleaning off the tables at work yesterday Jesus just reminded me that my goal and mission on this earth is to love, love, love - He said simply

Show them Me, Chelsea, Show them Me

He was kind in His words
tenderhearted

and reminded me this morning that He has forgiven me completely
which means He holds nothing over my head

and that is freedom.