Lifelong Love
On May 30, 1955, Richard and Carrie said "yes" to each other. They have said "yes" each day since then. As I write these words, Richard and Carrie, my parents, are celebrating their 51st wedding anniversary. I imagine that number 51 is a bit of a let-down, since there is no family reunion or big celebration as there was last year to commemorate their 50th. Yet, of course, they say "yes" to each other once again. Fifty-one years of lifelong love!
On August 25, 1979, a young college student named Melissa proclaimed these familiar words to a couple of hundred people gathered at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Portland, Oregon.
"Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends" (1 Cor. 13:4-8).
A few moments later Rene and I said "yes" to each other, and we were united in marriage. With Richard and Carrie and many others as role models, we have said "yes" each day since then.
On the good days, saying "yes" comes rather easily and pleasantly. On those days I am reassured that love is possible, that I am indeed loved, and that love empowers me toward great things. Yet offering "yes" every single day is not easy. Some days we are out of sync with each other, our petty selfishness gets in the way, or we just don't have the energy to be present to the other. If you've been in any kind of love relationship longer than a week, you know what I'm talking about.
But then, over the course of a long-term love, there are moments of true darkness, when the two can't seem to connect at all, can't even see each other. These are the days that call for true healing and reconciliation. You've heard the adage that "time heals." I'm not sure it's that simple, but I know this much: healing takes time. And over time, as Richard and Carrie have discovered, as Rene and I have also discovered, love indeed "bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things."
If you've been to a wedding this year you've likely heard the text from Paul's letter to the Corinthians proclaimed. You can hear a lovely rendition of the text in the song Love Never Fails by Ken Canedo and Jesse Manibusan. Yet, as you listen to this song, keep in mind that Paul was writing not about the love between husband and wife, but about the everlasting love of Christ for us! And when we have been touched by the love of Christ, we too are empowered toward patience, kindness, and truth.
Whether you are married or single, young or old, in love with someone, hoping to fall in love, or perfectly content on your own, read 1 Corinthians 13. Let the words of the chapter soak into your being. Grow in your understanding of love and its permanence. The words are written for you, for each one of us.
Jesus, thank for your love that never fails. Thank you for loving us so completely that you gave your life so that we may live. Help us to model your love in all our relationships. Amen.
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Spirit Compass reflections are developed in partnership
with the Center for Ministry Development.