Jan gave me a Valentine’s card today, with an apologetic look, as I opened it and read the words “You’ve taught me the real meaning of happiness and the true meaning of love” printed inside. I smiled, and understood his reticence. Those words – though they sound like a nice sentiment – aren’t true. He didn’t know what was written inside before he bought it, and he wouldn’t have picked it if he had*.
I know I don’t bring my husband true happiness, because our marriage is flawed. Our relationship is imperfect, and our love is tainted by our own selfish desires and deeds. Of course we love each other, and we show that in every way we can, but we get it wrong a lot of the time, and marriage – while wonderful – is a lot of work.
…that someone else has taught him the very real meaning of happiness and the truest meaning of love.
I also know his heart belongs to someone else, before it belongs to me. And that someone else has taught him the very real meaning of happiness and the truest meaning of love. My husband’s heart belongs to Jesus, and Jesus loves him with a perfect, unwavering, sacrificial, selfless love. The way I love Jan doesn’t even come close to the way he is loved by Jesus.
This morning at church, we celebrated Valentine’s Day by remembering the greatest act of love in the history of the world: Jesus’ death and resurrection. A small piece of bread and a mouthful of grape juice**, together with biblical accounts, painted a picture of this beautiful love story. Jesus, knowing his death was the only thing that could save us and bring us to God, willingly gave up his life on a cruel cross. The nails didn’t keep him hanging on those wooden beams; it was love.
“But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.” Romans 5:8
“He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross, so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By his wounds you are healed.” 1 Peter 2:24
And so I gladly accept that my husband isn’t loved most by me, because he knows the greatest love of all, and has been set free from sin to enjoy an eternal relationship with God. That is real happiness. That is true love.
* It was sealed and didn’t say anything on the back!
** Communion
1 Comment
David Donnelly · February 15, 2016 at 9:32 am
So true! The fact that you understand this shows how much you have matured in your faith and love for the Lord. I constantly pray that you and Jan and Matthew, Mum and myself grow in our faith in, love for and knowledge of our Lord. I also pray that you and Jan would grow in love for each other. May our God continue to answer these prayers!