Last fall, my husband and I had our first photo shoot together in over 44 years! The leaves were all but gone on this unusually warm Canadian prairie day in November. With the sun setting, we stood by the water thankful to have passed the difficult seasons of married life. Relaxed in each other’s presence, we deeply inhaled the fresh, gentle breeze. With a hint of sadness, I wished there was more than dried twigs in the background silhouetting our forms.
Completely amazed, I viewed our pictures for the first time! The amber warm glow of sunset appeared to surround us making even the brown of waiting winter vibrant in the powerful light. How very much like our lives together!
From human perspective there is no reason we should be standing hand in hand with united contentment. The barren branches of
life’s wounds had gone unmentionably deep,
disappointments robbing of all hope,
secret addictions strangling and denying value and worth,
illness threatening futures,
depression sapping any flicker of joy…
Yet, here we stood with an ever deepening love and respect for each other – the unmerited blessing of God’s faithfulness toward people so unworthy!
[bctt tweet=”Here we stood with an ever deepening love and respect for each other in unmerited blessing.” username=”MAWardAuthor”]
Yes, in His Light everything is viewed with new perspective. We are able to truly see each other without suspicion or criticism. (This itself is a gentle miracle!) Here in His Presence there are no regrets, judgments, or pain of past failures. In Christ Jesus, we lavishly receive and generously share the joy of togetherness – rich and full.
There is a quiet confidence and love with deep roots that develop between a husband and wife who have weathered life-threatening storms Even if we accomplish awe-inspiring things in these few days we have, we are nothing and gain nothing without love according to I Corinthians 13. The perfection of God’s enduring love and the challenge to emulate it causes me to measure both honestly:
“Love is patient, love is kind.
It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
…does not dishonour others, it is not self-seeking,
it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects, always trusts,
always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails.”
In our capacity, that bar-raising-love stretches to impossible heights for me to ever reach! Yet, at the same time, I know inwardly it is entirely possible as one leans completely into The One Who is Love and delights to demonstrate it to us continually.
The picture I hold in my hands of the photo shoot may not give the “real” impression of our lives, the course of our journey or the obstacles ahead. However, it certainly reminds us to look at ourselves from a new Light-filled perspective and give thanks….much, much thanks…
Time to Give Thanks
Lord, thank you for
holding us together with arms of strength…
for allowing us to see this side of struggle…
and showing us just a little glimpse of divine love…
Thank you for the tears and laughter…
for melting two hearts into one…
With joy we look to all that is behind, appreciating today, and anticipating tomorrow…
Thank you for never leaving us or abandoning us to our twisted ways.
Thank you for your immeasurable grace, unending mercy and inexplicable favour.
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