So, as usual, the Lord in His infinite wisdom and timing takes these moments of self pity and loneliness, slaps me upside the head and reminds me "Daughter, it's not about you. Let Me show you what true earthly love is."
Two couples walked into my office today. One was a couple who have been married for almost sixty years! Hold on. Did you hear that? Sixty years! Let me put that into a little perspective. This couple married in the early fifties. As a married couple, they've seen four wars. Seen the stock market crash multiple times. In 1954, the average annual household income was under $4,000.00. Gasoline cost $.21 a gallon. A loaf of bread was $.17. A stamp was $.03. The advances in technology they've seen is mind boggling. They've had their son pass away in the past year. Serious health issues have come up. Yet, through it all, this sweet couple still delight in each other. They poke each other, make fun of each other, express their concern for each other, and laugh through it all. Every time I see them in the office, they're laughing. Can you image it? Almost sixty years together, and still laughing as if they're eighteen. I just want to sit at their feet and say "Teach me. I want to be your padawan....(Yes, I know, a Star Wars reference, but I did warn you. I'm a nerd.)"
The other couple, oh, this other couple...These two break my heart, inspire me, and convict me of my selfishness all at the same time. They've been married for over fifty years, and they too have, obviously, seen a lot of change in the world. What sets them apart is the husband has a very serious degenerative condition that causes him to not be able to walk without a guiding hand. He cannot hold his head up properly and he can no longer speak. His wife has become his primary care giver. Her husband can no longer be the strong shoulder. She has to shoulder it all. Yet, instead of becoming bitter or treating her husband as a child, she still includes him in everything. She asks him his opinion about all their decisions in our office, even though he can only answer with a nod or shake of the head. She respects him. She never belittles or talks down to him. He, in turn, is always smiling at her. When she leaves the room, and then returns you see him light up! Even sweeter is the laughter they share together. Like my other couple, they too can still laugh with each other. I wish every young couple could spend time with these two and learn from them.
My last example is my very own parents. They are my constant reference for true love. My parents have been through a lot together in their almost 34 years as a married couple. Emotional, physical, spiritual, and financial hardships have bombarded their marriage, and through it all they've grown in Christ and their relationship. Every year, they fall deeper in love. She's his "wiffey", and he's her "pukey bear". If you ask them how they've made it so long, they'll immediately give all the glory to Christ and tell you that it's only through Him. Guys, I'm so blessed to have them as my parents, and I hope they know that they're an amazing blessing to me and so many others.
My final thoughts are this. True love means laughing together every day. True love means sacrificing your comfort in order to care for your love. True love means giving not taking. True love means growing in Christ and growing in your love for each other. What are your thoughts? What does true love mean to you? I would love to hear!
I'll leave you with these pics of my favorite couple. Enjoy!
Manda
P.S. I promise. I will do a foodie post soon. Promise, promise, promise!
