"We love because He first loved us."
1 John 4:19
Love is in the air. Literally. Last week when I went to Target I was bombarded by Pink, Red and Purple Valentines Day decor everywhere! Hearts hanging from the ceiling and every candy company imaginable has pink, red, white and purple candy aimed right at my heart. Not to mention the adorable heart print straws, jeans, napkins, plates, stickers, cards, sprinkles and cookies. February seems to be a month focused on Love.
But what is Love? What does it look like; what does it mean?
I can guarantee you that our mass retailers version of Love is nothing like God's version. God's version of Love is much more beautiful, real and substantial than pink and red M&Ms.
My husband and I celebrated 7 years of marriage this last November and will be celebrating 9 years officially together as a couple next month. I'm amazed at how fast time has gone by and I'm equally amazed at the Love I have for my husband in comparison to the Love I had for him 9 years ago.
Oh, I definitely loved him 9 years ago and I definitely love him today but it's grown into a completely different love than it was at first... When we first started dating love was butterflies in my stomach, love was chocolates and random flowers, love was a free flying emotional disaster. Then when we got married it matured a bit... but as the years have past Love has become a choice; it's become a decision. It is no longer based on outward looks, fancy dates, love notes and butterflies. It is based on reality, it is based on a firm foundation that cannot be shaken by storms, trials or tempests. It's founded on God's idea of Love. A Love that sacrifices, a Love that forgives, a Love that gives second, third and a hundred chances, a Love that never ends.
I'm hopelessly lost when it comes to Disney Love stories (can I get an amen?) I love Tangled, I love Frozen, I love Beauty and the Beast... I love them all. The princess dream, the songs, the happily ever afters. I tell you what, there is a reason why Disney is making billions. They know a way straight to a girls (or woman's) heart. But one thing I've realized in the last few years is that Love is so much more than what is portrayed in those films. There is a whole lifetime of stories to be lived and love to be decidedly given after the "Happily Ever After". It doesn't end on the wedding day.
My husband and I realized this shortly after marriage. The butterflies went South and the trials came in from the North, East and West. It seemed like the enemy decided we were the couple to attack ruthlessly for a period of time. Of course this was all part of God's design for us. Among a few heart wrenching trials we faced in the first couple of years we endured pregnancy loss. This knocked me off of my feet. I entered a time of depression, anxiety and sadness that I have never felt before. And for a newly married couple this could have spelled disaster. But by God's grace, He carried us through those difficult years. After that trial, God blessed us abundantly with a beautiful baby boy, who is now 3 and the joy of our lives. But that wasn't the only trial we have faced and I'm sure it won't be the last. I have dealt with depression, anxiety, battled an eating disorder and more since. (more on those issues to come)
Every day God has shown me how much He has blessed me in the husband that He gave me. My dearest husband submitted himself to the spinning wheel of God's design and CHOSE to Love me. He loved me when I was depressed, when I didn't want to cook, when I didn't want to love him, when I didn't want to breath, when I wasn't focused on Christ, when I was literally acting like a witch on a broom. He CHOSE to love me. Why? Because God had first loved him. I know it hasn't been easy for him; I know that he has had to pray many times to God for strength and patience. And I have had to do the same.
Being married to a man in full-time ministry seems to place a permanent dart board on your head for the enemy to practice his shooting on. And sometimes my hubby is tired, he's worn out, he's grumpy, he doesn't want to talk, he doesn't want to listen, he leaves his socks on the floor, he loses his patience. And I have to CHOSE to love him too. Not because it's easy but because God first loved me.
Love is a CHOICE it's a DECISION.
Now, let me tell you about the joy of choosing to love. Choosing to love your spouse will change your relationship forever. And it will electrify your relationship with God. Choosing to love means that you will forever have your spouse as your best friend, your number one cheerleader and your forever lover. You will have someone that's not going to leave your side because you've had a bad day or because you've made countless mistakes. You'll have someone to pray with, someone to laugh with, someone to cry with, and someone to dream about the future with. You'll love God more deeply and in return will feel God's love more fully. Because CHOOSING to love is exactly what God did for us. He loved us... In spite of our sinful, wretched, hopeless condition.
We turned our back on God, we sinned willingly, we put His Son on the cross and yet; He still chose us. By His grace, by His mercy, by His unending love; He chose YOU.
So, this month and for every month to follow until Jesus returns or takes me home... I CHOOSE to love my husband.
This amazing, wonderful man that God has given to me to be my completion, my love and my best friend. God has given Him to me and I'm so unworthy of this blessing. I love my husband and I am faithfully committed to be his wife forever. I love him so much more now than I did 7 years ago on our wedding day and I know that I'm going to love him so much more than I do right now, 50 years from today.
Make a choice to Love; it may not be butterflies, roses and chocolate every day (thank the Lord) but it will be a forever, never ending, amazing journey that you wouldn't trade for anything.
