love notes

A word can mean so much.  It can paint a picture, it can build up, and it can destroy.  Yet until today I had not realized that words, apart from the relationships they exist in, are meaningless.  My husband gave me flowers for Valentine’s this year.  The attached card read, “Lois, I love the journey God has us on.  I wouldn’t change one thing!  Happy Valentine’s Day.  I love you!” Grant.  I cried.

If I didn’t have knowledge of the journey we were on I could look at that and think any number of things.  Maybe,  “Oh, how cute.  What a nice guy! “  But, I’ve lived through 6 years of our journey as we wondered how we would make ends meet.  We’ve walked through job loss together and moves that would change our lives forever.  I’ve watched my husband feed me and care for me in ways that only nurses are supposed to have to.  And he wouldn’t change one thing!  I wouldn’t either!

Knowing what I know about Grant, those words meant so much more.  We have experienced life together.  We wake up to one another and when life is tough it’s tough, but we’re living it together.  We care for one another and communicate constantly.

That is what our relationship is supposed to be with God.  Get this: In the beginning was the word, and the word was with God, and the word was God. He was with God in the beginning. 1 John 1:1-2 This struck me this morning.  They were together … Jesus with God and the Holy Spirit, hanging out … in relationship and when a word was spoken there was such depth there because they were in such close relationship with one another.  They were in actual proximity.

God wants us in proximity … Christ IN us (and that’s just the beginning)! So when he speaks a word, there’s such depth and our spirit recognizes oh, yes … and our list flows of intimate interactions we’ve had with Jesus.  HE WANTS US! And, if we’re in proximity … I have a feeling we’ll be awed by the depth of the love God will lavish in our direction.