Reposted from January 15, 2024
The first time I heard the hymn “How Could Anyone” in our Sunday service, tears swelled in my heart and eyes. That continues to happen every time I hear it. The basic questions in the verses of the song, “How could anyone ever tell you, you were anything less than beautiful; how could anyone ever tell you, you were less than whole” instantly reminds me of how I have been spoken to by the bullies and naysayers of my life. However, it also reminds me of the beautiful souls, both at church and other circles in my life, who have taught me how to love myself for who I am, and surround me with a love of so much more than words of kindness. If that is not liberating love, I don’t know what is.
I shared just this past week with the Chalice Circle (a small group ministry at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Gwinnett) about this song, and I could barely find the words to express what this song means to me. The circle just allowed me to cry and say what I could about it. One of our members played it on their phone. It was such a beautiful, meaningful moment of support for me.
All of this started with me sharing these reflections as we played it on Music Night at my request. We practiced the song for an upcoming service on the gift of Liberating Love. I cannot think of a better way to honor what this song means to me than by sharing it with others.
~Jen Garrison
What beautiful, vulnerable reflection. Thank you Jen for sharing from your heart.