Happy Valentines Day

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 Love is patient, love is kind.  It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It does not  dishonor 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.

On many wedding days this scripture is the "theme" of the day.  It is printed on the best of Hallmark cards, wrapping paper, and even napkins.  Unfortunately, this scripture has been carelessly tossed about and mass marketed that it sometimes ends up being recited the same way as, "O Romeo, Romeo! Wherefore art thou Romeo?"   I wonder what would happen if this scripture was truly taken to heart? (the way it was intended) I am in no way implying that these words do not mean anything on "The Wedding Day" but what I ask is do these words still mean something after "That Day"?  If the divorce rate were to be the judge then the answer would be, "No, they were nothing more than a famous line in a Shakespeare story."      

My Valentine greeting goes out to those who have persevered through the test of marriage, it is an ongoing test with pop-quizzes in between.  My marriage has put this scripture, and the entire 13th chapter of  1 Corinthians, to the test.  What I have learned along the way is that there is another scripture I must rely on to get through those nasty bumps in the road:  Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.  When things don't seem to be quite so peachy in the "Garden of Eden" we must have the confidence in Christ to make a way when we see no way possible.  We may not see what we like in our spouses but we must have faith that the Lord is doing His work in them.  I'm pretty sure, in the same way we are not seeing what we like, they too are not seeing such lovely things in us. 

Many good things happen in marriage like serving the Lord together, children, 1st home, walks on beaches, up all night talking, blankets and videos, etc.  But unfortunately bad things happen too, like when we've been offended or hurt beyond what we think we can handle.  It is then that we must have the courage to swallow the bitter taste of pride so that we may not react hastily, just to become another statistic on the divorce chart. We must cling even tighter to Jesus and confess the scripture we once recited as a vow. 

By the grace of God my husband and I have stood the test of 25 years (in November) and in the name of Jesus we will withstand many more.  We just battled the flu in our home and no one else could have loved me through all the coughing, sneezing, crusty eyes and nose, and greasy pinned up hair but my husband!  I am a true believer in 1 Corinthians 13 (as well as the entire Bible) and I pray that we may remember its words and the power they hold when we find ourselves saying, "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times".     

Once again, Happy Valentines Day! 1 Corinthians 13:13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love.  But the greatest of these is love. 

P.S.  Happy Valentines Day to all the single people as well.  I pray the Lord bless you and may you find your happiness in Him; He is the One True Love!!