Yesterday was Dave’s birthday. It wasn’t filled with balloons and birthday cake but it was filled with love. There were phone calls, text messages, email greetings and neighbors dropping by.
It was a day where we worked side-by-side, out in the sunshine, doing what we do best – “being together”.
This morning has me reflecting on our last forty-eight years together. What an adventure! It makes me smile. Most of those years we have worked together in business. That’s the way it started and also the way it was before we retired. Together!
All marriages have their struggles and we have too but we got past our difficulties and were determined to be stronger together. Marriage is to be an example to the world of Christ and His love for those of us who are believers.
“No man hates himself. He takes care of his own body. That is the way Christ does. He cares for His body which is the church. 30 We are all a part of His body, the church. 31 For this reason, a man must leave his father and mother when he gets married and be joined to his wife. The two become one. 32 This is hard to understand, but it shows that the church is the body of Christ. 33 So every man must love his wife as he loves himself. Every wife must respect her husband.” Ephesians 5:29-33 NLV
The love that Christ has for us is so much greater than the love that we can share as man and wife. There is never a selfish motive or thought when Christ considers us and what is best for our benefit.
He never harbors a hurt feeling or struggles with not getting his own way. Christ lives for our best. He provides for us all that is good. In providing for us He shows that He is actually taking care of Himself because we are one with Him.
I don’t know about you but that is really hard to wrap my head around. Christ loves me as a part of His body and He would never do anything to harm Himself, nor will He do anything that is not for my good.
“Love is kind and patient, never jealous, boastful, proud, or 5 rude. Love isn’t selfish or quick tempered. It doesn’t keep a record of wrongs that others do. 6 Love rejoices in the truth, but not in evil. 7 Love is always supportive, loyal, hopeful, and trusting. 8 Love never fails!” I Corinthians 13: 4-8 CEV
You’ve probably done this before but I’m going to ask you to do it again. Read those verses again and this time replace the word “love” with the word “Christ” or Jesus. The more times you read it that way the easier it will be to see yourself receiving the unconditional love of Christ. He has chosen to love us in this unselfish way!
The result of understanding the love of Christ is this; we will be more loving and understanding of those around us.
My marriage to Dave is wonderful! I know that I am truly blessed in our relationship. But as good as it is, it still has a ways to go to measure up to the love that Christ has for both Dave and I.
In Christ, we are blessed with the best!