But Jon's love has communicated vividly and profoundly of the nature of Christ's love for the church--and for me!--in a way that I can't thank God for enough. It has been selfless, persevering, thoughtful, ever willing to change & grow as he learns of this multi-faceted (i.e. basket case) woman he married. (Thank you, Honey!)
But, despite my own deepest gratitude & the reality of the gift that marriage is, there is also a time for many, and an extended time for a few, when the call may be painful and hard.
God knows this; He's present in it, and He will faithfully enable. And there is so much more to the picture than may meet the eye...
May the following perspective give encouragement.
If you sat down with God today, I wonder what He’d choose to say.
And though I don’t presume to know, I’ll give my thought of how it’d go.
“------ (insert your name), I have for you a task that may seem like a lot to ask,
But it is in my perfect plan to love and serve an imperfect man.
You’ll have to leave yourself behind, look just to me your joy to find.
But in the way your love is shown to him my love will then be known.
Oh, he won’t act as if he knows, perhaps deny that your love shows,
And he may even take offense, ignore, attack, accuse, lack sense.
But you—just leave his heart to me, and focus first on yours, then see
How loving him when he rejects can perhaps have the greatest effect.
For in your selfless, gracious way you live what words can’t really say,
That just like Christ’s love on the cross, your love does not balk at the cost.
And in each time that you forgive, bear a wrong, choose grace to give,
You mirror supernatural love that points to our great God above.
I, too, was called to love in pain, watched my own Son take on the stain
Of those—of you—who mock, rebel, but still your ransom was My will.
Its price was high, my Son was giv’n, but with this your sins were forgiv’n
Is it too much, then, to ask you, ‘Can you reflect this love so true?'
For in your love to him, you see, a light deflects to Calvary.
Your ‘message’ to this man – and all – is grace gives love without recall.
And, child, be sure you understand, it’s not really about this man—
He’ll be human, fail & fall & won’t deserve your kind love’s call.
But don’t lose sight of what’s at stake, what really is the point to make
As you love him devotedly… you show how much that you love Me."
~God
And though I don’t presume to know, I’ll give my thought of how it’d go.
“------ (insert your name), I have for you a task that may seem like a lot to ask,
But it is in my perfect plan to love and serve an imperfect man.
You’ll have to leave yourself behind, look just to me your joy to find.
But in the way your love is shown to him my love will then be known.
Oh, he won’t act as if he knows, perhaps deny that your love shows,
And he may even take offense, ignore, attack, accuse, lack sense.
But you—just leave his heart to me, and focus first on yours, then see
How loving him when he rejects can perhaps have the greatest effect.
For in your selfless, gracious way you live what words can’t really say,
That just like Christ’s love on the cross, your love does not balk at the cost.
And in each time that you forgive, bear a wrong, choose grace to give,
You mirror supernatural love that points to our great God above.
I, too, was called to love in pain, watched my own Son take on the stain
Of those—of you—who mock, rebel, but still your ransom was My will.
Its price was high, my Son was giv’n, but with this your sins were forgiv’n
Is it too much, then, to ask you, ‘Can you reflect this love so true?'
For in your love to him, you see, a light deflects to Calvary.
Your ‘message’ to this man – and all – is grace gives love without recall.
And, child, be sure you understand, it’s not really about this man—
He’ll be human, fail & fall & won’t deserve your kind love’s call.
But don’t lose sight of what’s at stake, what really is the point to make
As you love him devotedly… you show how much that you love Me."
~God
Lord, May I so trust in your sovereign control and loving goodness, that I rest in You even in the (sometimes hard) call of marriage. May I (and it) ever reflect you & your love to bring you glory! Amen
thanks elaine. I read your blog on the fourth night of my romantic motorcycle adventure and was encouraged to look on the "God" side of things when my feelings and perceptions don't quite sink with my "other half." (warning: new blog being written in my head as I ride on:)
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