Love that Endures
We sat at a table near the windows. The scene set before us shined with the light of a new union. This wedding ceremony celebrated two lives joining together as one and an adventure still to be written. Yet, amidst all the joy, beauty and excitement, I couldn’t take my eyes off of them.
My grandparents, sitting side by side, quietly roared of unfailing love.
Poppa’s limp proved what I already knew. He suffered severe, constant pain. But that didn’t keep him in his seat. I watched, in the midst of the crowd, while Poppa slowly, but confidently, served his wife. Something as simple as a piece of wedding cake brought tears to my eyes as I witnessed his testimony of self-less love.
In today’s world this kind of love seems almost out of reach. Love that endures all life can throw at it … and still finds a smile. Love that knows no limits. But as I read God’s Word I keep seeing these two words, “unfailing love.”
I should be careful to note, Nanna and Poppa are real people with real shortcomings just like the rest of us. And they’d be the first to tell you that. Both me and my daughter have been called “feisty” a time or two, but we know who the original feisty girl is, and just because she’s 39 doesn’t make Nanna any less feisty than she was when she was 29. {Wink, wink!}
The absence of sin does not make love endure. It’s the presence of a Savior that prompts love to press on.
Love puts up with anything and everything that comes along; it trusts, hopes, and endures no matter what.” 1 Corinthians 13:7 (VOICE)
Love does not place its trust and hope in man – but One Man, Jesus. And when our trust and hope plants firmly in the roots of His love, it endures no matter what.
True, God’s love is the only unfailing love, but I believe God wants to share that love with us and through us. I believe He wants His children to not only experience His unfailing love, but also offer it to one another.
Love will never become obsolete.” 1 Corinthians 13:8 (VOICE)
Dear Nanna and Poppa,
Thank you for your daily lives that display the love of Jesus. Thank you for crushing the darkness with your bold light of simple love. Thank you for proving love will never become obsolete and for trusting and hoping in Jesus and His love that endures no matter what. I am confident of this, your love has touched me and many, many others.
God grant me a heart willing to be molded into this form of self-less love, that I may be filled by You and carry Your love to my world.
What a blessing to have their example, Katy. Words in my head say, “That’s the way a family should run.” Love it!
I think about that very thing everytime I see an older couple. I love to see them holding hands, helping open doors etc. I think I admire them most because I wish society would admire and model after them more often. Great examples of true love and friendship amidst all of life’s struggles. Thanks for sharing. 🙂
We as a family have all been blessed by these two special people. I know your Mom and I have talked about it many a time about how blessed we are to have had them as examples in our lives. Every day when I am praying I thank God for allowing me to be born into this family. Always knowing whenever one of us is in need of prayer all we have to do is pick up a phone or send a text. Sure we have our differences, but when things are tough we are blessed to have a praying family! This is something that God placed upon Nanna & Poppa’s heart many years ago and they are still a constant in their prayer lives. Lifting everyone of us to the Lord daily – calling us each by name. I am a blessed daughter to call these Godly people my parents! I love you Mom & Dad!
So sweet.
Katy,
Love this – “The absence of sin does not make love endure. It’s the presence of a Savior that prompts love to press on.” So true and powerfully put. Cheering you dear friend and wordsmith of words!
Grandparents can remind us of love so easily. Why do you suppose that is? We have missed something in our generation. May the Lord keep both you and your family. And, thank you for the reminder that love and a willing heart is absolutely essential!
I knew your Nanna and Poppa when I was a little girl going to Emmanuel on Jewella Rd. in Shreveport. They were such kind people.