love songs

Tuesday, November 8, 2011 (7:21 a.m.)

Beloved Jesus,

Thank You! Two hours ago it was much too dark, too cold, too lonely to ramble around the house. Now it’s perfect. Thank You.

Two hours ago I wasn’t sure. I just had a thought. Now I’ve confirmed it. Eighteen years ago, today’s date was on a Monday. It was the day we had chosen to “pull the plug” on the patriarch of our family. It was a big decision. Huge! But one our mom made with the style and grace of a woman so much in love with the soul who had been laid out on a hospital bed for over seven months.

You were there with us Jesus. I remember. The doctor in charge invited You in. We thought that so kind. And appropriate. Thank You.

Thank You also for the two songs that keep singing themselves to me. One right in the middle of the other. We heard them both on Sunday. The first led me to my feet during worship at church. The second, while driving the car, caused a gasp from my husband, followed by an offer to dance and tears streaming down his face.

Blessed Jesus, too often I get sidetracked by the list of things that haven’t gotten done. I mope and complain far too much. This morning I am content to sit and consider the overwhelming love You have for us. Love that is expressed in two entirely different songs.

♫There is love That came for us Humbled to a sinner’s cross You broke my shame And sinfulness You rose again Victorious♫ Your love for us. Perfect love. Love that is not to be confused with any other.

And then there is the love expressed by a country singer so many years ago. A song that still causes added tenderness and tears to a certain couple. ♫They were so much in love with life, happy in every way. But love the movie began with, somehow got lost in the play. Like a fire burning out of control, You got caught up in the actor’s role, And you cried on my shoulder when it came to an end♫

Jesus, how I thank You for us getting to experience Your love through a song long before we ever even knew You. All those years we spent trying to figure out how to love one another well were brought together for us back then by singing ♫But that’s all in the movies, It won’t happen to you and I. That’s all in the movies; so baby don’t cry. It’s all in the movies, It won’t happen to us I know. That’s all in the movies, Just a bad picture show♫

The love in this household has definitely had its moments Lord. There were times of great strength and those when we truly were held together only by the songs of various artists. Ah, but it was YOU behind the truth of those songs all along!

♫Faithfulness none can deny Through the storm And through the fire There is truth that sets me free Jesus Christ who lives in me You are stronger You are stronger Sin is broken You have saved me It is written Christ is risen Jesus You are Lord of all♫

Oh most dear and blessed Lord of all, YOU have been our strength every single time we didn’t know how we would or did get through things. YOU who had ♫No beginning and no end You’re my hope and my defense You came to seek and save the lost You paid it all upon the cross♫

There are plenty of musical artists whose works have helped us recognize our love for each other whenever we were too caught up in our own emotions to see it for ourselves. But none of them were ever able to actually BE that love. Thank You Jesus for BEING our love songs to one another.

(12:15 p.m.)

Thank You that You ARE the love that binds us together. Oh look Lord Jesus… yet another song ♫There is only one God, There is only one King, There is only one body; That is why we sing: “Bind us together, Lord; Bind us together with cords that cannot be broken. Bind us together, Lord; Bind us together, Lord; Bind us together with love.”♫

Oh but it doesn’t stop there. GoodSearching “Jesus Is Love” brings up a brand-new-to-me oldie ♫Father Help Your children And don’t let them fall By the side of the road, mmm… mmm… And teach them To love one another That Heaven might find A place in their hearts ‘Cause Jesus is love…♫

Thank You Lord Jesus for being our love, as well as our love songs. Thank You for holding us together through all the times in the past when we otherwise would have surely drifted apart.

We love You Lord Jesus and we thank You for being in us and through us that which we cannot possibly be on our own. Loving. Joyful. Peaceful. Patient. Kind. Good. Faithful. Gentle. And self-controlled. It’s YOU Lord and that mighty-fine fruit of Your Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) working in and through us, transforming us into Your very own love songs. Thank You Lord Jesus. Thank You. I love You. Amen.

(871 words ~ 12:24 p.m.)