This post was written back on May 5th. I often write posts and never post them. Honestly, for me, much of blogging is personal journaling. But I was thinking about this again this week, looked up the post, and decided to go public with it.
______________________
This weekend I'm teaching on love. It's a sermon I have done before... actually several times. I heard another pastor at a conference give this basic outline back in 1991 and said to myself that day that I wanted to preach that outline every year of my ministry. Well, that hasn't happened. But I have given this outline maybe 5 or 6 times between the two churches I have served. Of course, some of the content changes... I would get bored with it otherwise... but the simple message is a good one:
Love boldly.
I have been thinking about love a lot lately. And much of it is born out of pain. I have been watching my parents struggle through dad's decline. I have another man I deeply respect who is in a battle with leukemia and doesn't seem to be winning. My friend and co-partner in ministry has a mom who is fighting her own health issues. In the midst of all of this darkness... there is this light. It's the love I see breaking through in these dark places.
Today I sat with this man named Paul. He is a pastor of sorts. And he is one of my heros. I had heard of him before I came to Athens and was really excited to meet him. In the past couple of years he, his wife and son became a part of the church I pastor. And at first, honestly, it was kind of wierd to have this guy who I kind of looked up to, be a part of my congregation. But in these years I have gotten to know him, his wife and son and I have seen a spiritual maturity that just blows me away. (Maybe I will write more about this another time).
But for now I just wanted to say: true love is really hard.
It rubs feet.
It changes bandages. It cleans up messes. It calls out the best in people. It forgets the worst in people.
So often our culture thinks of love as naked bodies writhing in pleasure. We even call it, "Making love."
That's stupid.
I'm not even sure "love" happens in the first years of marriage.
Love is when it becomes difficult. Sacrificial.
Love is when you talk to that friend and you don't want to talk.
It's when you give and don't want to give.
When you call and don't want to call.
Love rubs feet.
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Paul Martin
June 28, 1946 - August 14, 2009
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8 comments:
I agree with your idea, although I am far from an expert on love. It does seem like those early giddy times when things are easy and fun, somehow help to give rise to a solid foundation for later.
that's actually a great point, Daniel.
Welcome back, bloggingpaul!! Wow!! 5 posts in a week!!! Don't you do ANY work???
I agree too, Daniel, to me, they can be a sort of snapshot. Not as how things "should" be (I know that my wife and I both occasionally wrestle with wanting what the other "used" to do); but as a reminder that in frustration, pain, and anger with someone, it once was quite fun, easy, and good with that person, too.*
*Note: Said full well that I speak from a rather naive/young place in my life.
"Rabbit" -- your picture is just creepy. :)
I do agree with you .U have actually spoken my heart out.I had seen my mom taking care of my dad who got a brain hemorrhage and was bed ridden for a while before he passed away(exactly 3 mths).He never spoke but she stored ample strength to talk to him. She used to have food beside him tho he never even used to look at her(would be asleep).Yep..its more evident and becomes a strength/power when that person u love is in pain/distance separates them.
Love is in the air...and everywhere!God BLESS
yo paul, i like your posts, and i liked your message this morning.
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