I do so love Thee!

I do so love Thee!
Ah, I remember in my younger days—usually when I was in love—I wrote poetry. Clearly, it was not my calling to write ‘odes,’ but I sure do appreciate them! Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s work has great appeal for me, such as:
How do I love thee? Let me count the ways. I love thee to the depth and breadth and height My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight For the ends of Being and ideal Grace.
I love thee to the level of everyday's Most quiet need, by sun and candle-light. I love thee freely, as men strive for Right; I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise.
I love thee with a passion put to use In my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith. I love thee with a love I seemed to lose With my lost saints, --- I love thee with the breath,
Smiles, tears, of all my life! --- and, if God choose, I shall but love thee better after death. Elizabeth Barrett Browning, 1806-1861
What if we thought of “thee” as the Word of God??
How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
I love you because . . . You teach me truth, You show me the right way to go, And the way that would lead me astray. You have intimated God’s thoughts about me.
I love thee to the depth and breadth and height My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight
For you have shown that neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Yes, you have revealed how God loves me, And shown me that nothing can keep that love from me!
For the ends of Being and ideal Grace.
You have revealed the plan of life, Defining and extending a grace that is unequalled.
I love thee to the level of everyday's Most quiet need, by sun and candle-light.
When I wake to greet the day, you are there And when I lie down to rest …indeed, you are there
I love thee freely, as men strive for Right; For you have shown me the way to go You lead me in paths of righteousness
I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise. As you have shown me how to keep my way pure And given me limitless possibilities on which I might fix my gaze
I love thee with a passion put to use In my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith.
For you have counseled me throughout my life Wooing me when I needed your gentle touch Wowing me with wonder and awe of a limitless God
Through you, I can interpret what is going on in the world, and what the future holds~ Revealing to me my place in the world and my Master’s purposes for me.
I love thee with a love I seemed to lose With my lost saints, May it never be!
I love thee with the breath, Smiles, tears, of all my life! Oh yes, I am devoted to you.
and, if God choose, I shall but love thee better after death.
For then I will no longer know in part.
How do I love thee, O Word of God? I have counted the ways.
O Friend, I pray that you love God's Word !

Christine Todd DiGiacomo