living loved

My beloved is mind and I am his; he browses among the lilies. Until the day breaks and the shadows flee, turn, my beloved, and be like a gazelle or like a young stag on the rugged hills.   – Song of Songs 2: 16

Yep…that bearded beauty is my beloved. He’s been my beloved for 18 years and 6 months. Today marks 18 years of, as the bearded beauty described it this morning, “pure joy,” which made me giggle because that is one way to describe 18 years of houses, jobs, cats, dogs, kids, love, and loss. We have had our equal share of temper tantrums (mostly him – just kidding, Lover).

But seriously, marriage is work. Marriage is wonderful and joyful, and it’s fun to browse amongst the lilies (not my words – biblical here, reader), but it is also work. The divorce statistics are alarming, and maybe the odds are stacked against you, maybe there are financial shortcomings, child issues, or maybe marriage just wasn’t what you thought it would be, and the list goes on and on, but when Christ becomes the center of your life, your marriage, your every thing, marriage can become pure joy – even in the midst of hard work. (Unfortunately, this is not the case in abuse and extreme situations against all God intended.)

Song of Songs in the bible is full of love, passion, and is quite spicy. Not something most people expect in the bible – especially if you haven’t read it in a while…or ever. But God has a lot to say about the special union of marriage. In fact, He compares our own relationship with Him in terms of marriage: the bride (His church) and the bridegroom (Jesus).

One of the best things about my Lover, the bearded beauty, is His constant reminder to me that I am loved. Not just loved by him, but loved by the Creator the Universe. He is our constant. He is our strength. We aren’t building a better marriage for the here and now; we are building a marriage to remember: a marriage reflecting God’s love and forgiveness, our love for Him and each other and people. And this kind of love takes work.

So, how’s your marriage? You know, the one to the bridegroom? When was the last time you spent time with Him – like uninterrupted quality time? When was the last time you sat quietly and listened? Shared a meal? Had coffee and read His letter to you? You know, put in the hard work…

Love is patient. Love is kind. It is not proud. It does not dishonor others. It is not easily angered or self-seeking. Love never fails…God never fails. (1 Corinthians 13)

Cheers to a marriage to remember…and hard work till our day of completion.

XOXO, Loni