The Blessing of Unconditional Love
By Kateb Nuri-Alim Shunnar
I never imagined that my deepest understanding of unconditional love would come from something as painful as rejection. Yet, it was in this rejection that I truly came to see how unwavering the Creator's love is for me. Despite my own shortcomings, despite the times I wandered off the path, love and grace were always there, waiting for me. I experienced compassion in my lowest moments, and even when I felt distant from my Creator, the world around me never stopped offering smiles and blessings. Creation itself seemed to whisper reminders of this enduring love.
In all honesty, I ignored the signs. I neglected what was important, put aside what I knew was right, and stubbornly pushed forward, chasing my own desires. I wanted things to unfold on my terms, disregarding the plans laid out by the Creator and the rhythm of divine timing. I didn’t care about aligning with the universe or following a higher purpose. I just wanted what I wanted, when I wanted it.
Yet, through all of this, the Creator’s love remained. I was never abandoned, never cut off. Even in my moments of disobedience, when I knew I was veering off course, the love was still there, quietly supporting me. The air still filled my lungs. There was always food to nourish my body, and my soul continued to be fed. I had a home, a safe place to rest, and the simple gifts of life that so many take for granted. My Creator never turned away from me, even when I was caught up in my own unhappiness and frustration with how life was unfolding.
That’s when I truly understood the nature of unconditional love. It’s not just a warm feeling or a fleeting emotion. It's an unshakable presence that stays with you, no matter what you do or how far you stray. This love from the Creator this boundless, all-encompassing love doesn’t hinge on my actions or decisions. It exists beyond my mistakes, my disobedience, and my impatience. It is unconditional in every sense of the word, offering acceptance, support, and encouragement, even when I fail to meet my own expectations.
This love is nothing like the love we often see in the world today. Human love has become transactional, filled with conditions and expectations. It’s a sad reality to face, knowing that much of what we call love is fragile, breakable by the slightest disappointment or disagreement. But the Creator’s love, the love of the universe, doesn’t waver. It’s a constant, pure force that never abandons, never turns cold, no matter what.
Because of the love my Creator and the universe have for me, I am absolutely able to give good love to myself and especially to those who are near and dear to me. This divine love fills me up so that I can pour it out to others, offering them the same compassion and grace that have been extended to me. It allows me to love without fear, without conditions, and without the need for anything in return. It’s this love that reminds me of my own worth, and it empowers me to be a source of love and light for those around me.
In my heart is real love. As my mother would say, I am the true definition of a friend. I don’t say this to boast or to elevate myself, but to show you my heart. The love I carry is not just for me it’s for those around me, those who need to feel the same kind of unconditional love I’ve received from the Creator. It’s a love that extends to friends, family, and even strangers, simply because love is meant to be shared.
It took rejection and my own stubbornness to finally open my eyes to this truth. And while the pain of rejection stings, it has also been a blessing. It led me to the kind of love that isn’t shaken by my failures. It showed me that, even when I ignore divine plans and try to push forward with my own agenda, I am still embraced by grace. The Creator’s love is a refuge, a safe haven in a world where human love can feel so conditional and fleeting.
Through all of this, I have come to realize that I am blessed beyond measure, not just in the physical things I have like a place to sleep, food to eat, and the ability to live but in the spiritual and emotional gifts I’ve received. The Creator has never stopped loving me, even when I didn’t deserve it. And that, to me, is the truest form of unconditional love. It’s a love that surpasses all human understanding, a love that transcends any expectations or limitations we try to place on it.
And now, having experienced this love, I can see the world in a new light. I see the difference between the fleeting, conditional love of people and the boundless, unconditional love of the Creator. The world’s love may falter, but divine love will never let me go.
Kateb, Your reflections touched me in ways I didn’t expect. They’ve brought to light so much about myself that I had been too blind to see. You’re right sometimes, we don’t realize the blessings we have because our egos, desires, and stubbornness keep us from seeing clearly. And in that haze, I’ve taken for granted so much, especially the love and grace the Creator has wrapped around me. I really do have a good partner, someone who loves me unconditionally. But if I’m honest, I’ve taken them for granted because I’ve been so focused on what I want and what I feel I don’t have. I’ve let my dissatisfaction blind me to the love that’s right in front of me.…