As both a writer and a Christian, there are some stories I've written that I never could have thought of by myself. Most of the time, these are small, yet powerful stories about God's attributes and the things He does in my life, or the lives of those around me. One theme that has been heavy on my heart recently, and one that I've seen manifest in a number of ways, is God's relentless, unconditional love. The love he bestows upon us, even though we aren't worthy or deserving of it. The fact that He loves us, not because of what we do, but because of who we are.

The greatest commandment we've been given in this life is to love God, and love others. And yet, in our world today love is drowned out in the noise of hatred and division. Society seems to be unraveling, thread by thread, as the ability to compromise vanishes. Instead, a brutal cycle of murder and killing perpetuates itself, fueled by hatred and misunderstanding. The cries of the afflicted often go unheard, lost in the noise of suffering. Even the horrific tragedy of school shootings, once a shock, has become chillingly commonplace, a heartbreaking reminder of the desensitization that has gripped us. From reported murders, to the cruelty in systems that were meant to help us, the act of hate has become more common than the act of loving. But isn’t that what Christians are supposed to be known for—their love? Yet I see more and more so-called Christians adopting cultures’ attitudes of division and hate every day, and it needs to stop. If people can hate for no reason, then we can love for no reason too.

People are too prideful to even see the solution—the only solution to this problem, blinding themselves to the truth. Because God is love, we can't know love without knowing Him. Therefore a Godless culture is doomed to be one without love. A generation without Christ is a lost generation, adrift in a sea of moral uncertainty and devoid of a guiding light.

We look at the world in such concern and anger, witnessing the decay and despair, yet we often find ourselves paralyzed, unsure of how to act, of what to do. But we as Christians need to stand together and remind others of the truest source of all the things we're lacking, love, peace, joy, and so much more. We need to share God… and in doing so, we can also share love with our world.

Today, I'd like to take the first step. Because of these things God has been teaching me, He prompted in me a story to share His message of love with others. I pray that it may be an encouragement to anyone who reads it.

Blue boat and the barnacle: a modern-day parable of Christ’s unconditional love for us.

Blue boat was a lonely, cast away boat; his once vibrant blue paint was now chipped and peeling from time and neglect. He swayed in the salty water of the endless ocean that surrounded him. His wooden hull groaned and his helm turned, blown by the steady wind. He didn’t know how long he’d been alone in the middle of the sea, nor did he care. The days bled into months. The months into years, until he found he’d lost track of time, leaving his mind plagued by a harsh truth: No one is ever coming back for me. No one could ever love me again. Now the sounds of the ocean, and the occasional seabirds that flew by, were his only companions. 

One day, Blue Boat felt something cling to his wood. Whatever it was felt very tiny, and yet it was the first thing he’d felt in a long time. His weary voice spoke, for the first time in ages as he asked, “Who are you?”

A rather tiny voice responded, barely competing with the sound of the lapping waves, “I’m Little Barnacle. May I stay attached to your helm?”

He wanted to say yes, but he knew he was not worthy. His voice, laced with the pain of loneliness, rose above the loudness of the waves, “No. I’m not worthy. Please go away.”

Little Barnacle held on, her grip firm as her voice insisted, “It doesn’t matter to me if you are worthy. You are worthy because I say you are.”

Blue boat lamented, “But you don’t understand what I’ve done. I–I” he stammered, afraid to revisit the memory that still haunted him to this day, “I used to have children on my deck, they would laugh and play by day, and with the swaying of the waves I would rock them to sleep at night. But a ferocious storm came and snatched them all away from me, and I wasn’t strong enough to protect them. I can still hear their screams, and the whistling wind. The waves towered over me, and I just felt so helpless. I couldn’t stop them from dying.”

Little Barnacle was still anchored tight, refusing to detach herself from his wood. She whispered, “It wasn’t your fault. The storm was cruel. But you’re still worthy of my presence.”

Blue Boat heard her words, and turned as a massive wave slammed into him. In a desperate attempt to rid the perceived burden of her attention, and thrashed about in the waves. The waves spilled on and off of his deck. Soon, he couldn’t control himself anymore, and the waves tossed and thrashed himself about like a play toy.  He cried out against the crashing waves, “Don’t you understand. I’m worthless, and I’m good for nothing. I can barely control my rudder against the violent waves.”

The waves settled down after a few moments, and he felt Little Barnacle was still attached to him, refusing to let go. She persisted, her voice filled with compassion, “It’s not about being worthy, Blue Boat. I’ll still be with you, no matter how many storms you go through. No matter how many times you try to get rid of me, I’ll always be right here.”

Blue Boat had a large dent in his wood from hitting a rock moments before in the uncontrolled waves. He cried out again, “But I’m broken. I can’t stay afloat very well in storms anymore.”

“That doesn’t matter to me,” whispered Little Barnacle, “My presence can make you whole again. Perhaps not on the outside, but on the inside. I can help you on the inside if you just let me.”

Blue Boat just didn’t know if he could believe it. He wanted to believe that Little Barnacle could keep that promise, but he just felt so broken. So alone. Nights passed, with the clouds lonely, and gloomy overhead. While she didn’t speak, Blue Boat knew Little Barnacle was still there, clinging onto his side. 

Finally, Blue Boat gave in, his voice barely a murmur surrounded by the swaying ocean waves. “Little Barnacle? Are you still there?”

Little Barnacle was silent for a moment and then responded with, “Of course. I told you I would never leave you. I’ll always be here, patiently waiting until you’re ready for me again.”

Blue Boat wanted to cry. He was rejected, flawed, and broken. He thought nobody would ever want him again, but Little Barnacle had gone on to prove him wrong. He asked, his voice softer this time. “Why did you choose me? Out of every rock and boat you could’ve chosen. I’m not sturdy, nor good-looking. My paint is chipping and my wood is falling apart. What is there to love about me?”

Little Barnacle answered in a warm, steady voice, “Oh Blue Boat. I couldn't care less what's on the outside. Those other boats may be bigger and better on the outside, but that doesn’t make them worthy of being chosen. I still love them, though they’ve turned me away and denied me. After many attempts, they’ve rejected getting to know me. They think they can do this alone, and I hope one day, they’ll realize that this ocean isn't meant to be traveled alone. They’re too full of themselves and don’t have a desire for a barnacle like me. Yet in you, I see potential. You want my help, and because of that, I see a grander future on your hull, than I’ve seen on any other.”

And in a single moment, Blue Boat felt a weight lifted. The clouds slowly disappeared, bringing in the sunshine. He wasn’t perfect, nor did he need to be. Little Barnacle loved him despite his flaws and mistakes. He’d spent so long running from attention because he thought he needed to be worthy of it. But now he realized one freeing truth: Little Barnacle would love and support him no matter what he did or said, because true love had no limits or conditions. With Little Barnacle, he wasn't loved for the things he'd done, but rather for who he was. With Little Barnacle, he’d forever be loved and worthy.