That which is the greatest remains my difficult hard.
Love, and the giving and receiving therein.
It should come easily. It should be the overflow of my heart because my heart has known so much of it. But it doesn’t. Not always. I’m working on it, and the more I see it displayed in my own life, the closer I walk toward its embrace. I witnessed it again today, and I couldn’t help but be swept away by the invitation to come and to celebrate the occasion that brought love’s bloom to my dear friend’s heart.
We met again, as we are prone to doing on Tuesdays. Me and my ancients. Today we traded in our usual fare of pizza for chicken salad and fresh fruit. It’s not easy for us to trade in our usual. We love routine, but today we made the sacrifice. Why?
Because one of the ancients is getting married. Yes, that’s what I wrote. An ancient. Getting married. To a manly ancient. In just a few short weeks. Wedding, reception, honeymoon…the full spectrum of wedding bliss. Both of them have their stories—their pasts which they bring with them to the altar. Both have walked the course of some seventy years of living without one another, but by God’s grace will be allowed to walk their next years alongside one another, holding hands and cherishing the gift of love’s full bloom.
It’s a privilege to share in their joy. To be part of this grand reminder that love is a sacred gift. It arrives for each one of us in all sorts of packages, on every kind of occasion, and in all manner of shapes and sizes, preferences and ages. When love comes, the unwrapping and receiving of its package mirrors the hope of heaven, for God has always intended for love to be our portion. His love pours over us through the hearts of many—friends, family, the body of Christ, and sometimes even through the heart of a stranger.
Love came as a baby in a manger some 2000 years ago. Love grew as a carpenter’s son in the hidden hills of Nazareth. Love walked the road to Calvary where Love’s heart bled in surrender for ours. Love poured out its full portion of forgiveness so that many will soon know the joy of Love’s full bloom—a wedding day fast approaching, when the Groom will come to gather his bride for all eternity.
Love is the sacred intention of a Father’s plan and a Savior’s cross. And that, my friends is always worthy of some celebration. Whether loves comes in the form of marriage, friendship, family kinship, or any other kind of relationship, Love is the seeding of God’s creation. And Love will be the anchor who brings us all to our full and sacred bloom.
Yes, some Tuesdays cry out for more than pizza. Some Tuesdays cry out for a party and for some cake and for the laughter that is a sure reminder of what awaits us all at the banqueting table of our Groom.
And I’m pretty sure that Miss Christine’s Swiss Mocha Cake will make the eternal cut. At least that’s what I asked of the Lord this day as I devoured one bite after another, after another, until its sweet came to full bloom in my stomach.
Isn’t God good?! Yes, he is…just in case you’ve forgotten.
No matter your current–whether in crisis, in chaos, or in contentment–our Father is good, and his portion for each one of us is an extravagant Love that boasts the reach of heaven. High and wide and long and deep. That’s how far our God will travel to bring you home as his radiant and spotless bride.
It is his joy to do so, and it is my joy to say “yes.” I hope your voice finds a similar echo today, and thus, I pray…
Thank you, Father, for occasions that remind me of your gracious love over me. You’ve walked the road from heaven to earth in order to claim me as your own so that I can walk its return path with you as my Groom. You are the Love of my life, the pulse that quickens my steps, and the anticipation that stirs my heart in expectation for the wedding day soon to come. Prepare me as your bride, dressed in your robes of righteousness and washed clean in your blood from Calvary’s full surrender. And God, bless the ancients, especially the two that will soon walk the aisle to receive your extravagant love through the gift of marriage. May theirs be a love that reflects the gracious grace of heaven. Amen.
How incredibly romantic that love has the power to sweep even the ancients off their feet! And to think they’ll never have to raise teenagers together. God is so-o-o-o good!
How sweet!!
God’s love is so sweet. It truly is amazing that the creator of the entire universe desires a relationship of love with us. Absolutely awesome. Thank you for sharing.
If only our love for one another could be as unconditional as our Father’s love for us. AMEN!
What a beautiful day you had indeed. Also an awesome reminder for all of us who love our Savior. My Grandma re-married in her seventies after being widowed for many years. Her husband was the only grandpa I knew. He was such a great grandpa and I love him very much! You are amazing and this group looks like absolute fun!
My friend sent me pictures today of her aunt skydiving – a gift she gave herself for her 80th birthday! I hope I have as much enthusiasm for life as your ancient and my friend’s aunt every day of my life. blessings, marlene
Sigh.
I love weddings.
Sigh.
And I sure hope that you are right about that “Miss Christine’s Swiss Mocha Cake” making the eternal cut.;)
Sigh.
God bless you friend,
Amy:)
I so love the picture of your ancients! And the cake? DIVINE!
Another beautiful post, Elaine. I can’t wait to dine at the Lord’s banqueting table! And, in the meantime, I think I’d love some of that Swiss Mocha cake. 🙂
PS-Thanks so much for taking time to leave a comment on Katy’s blog. It just thrilled her to pieces!
First the cake….YUM!
And then how precious that they will get to spend years enjoying each others company.
When my MIL passed away my FIL was 75….he said life was too short to live by yourself. He married again and they were married 16 years before he passed away.
What a lovely day you must have had. Ah, love… isn’t it wonderful! While reading your post I recalled a plaque my stepmom had on the wall of her bedroom. “Love wasn’t put in your heart to stay. Love isn’t love until you give it away.”
God is good! Thanks for the reminder sweet sister!
We’ve had a couple of golden-age weddings in our church as well. Always brings the same comment, “Well,it’s never too late..” to my single friends.
Thank you for sharing ‘joy’. I felt the aroma all the way here in TO. Thank you yet again.
My answer is “yes” too! To such a Groom, how could it not be?!
i agree with Amy, sigh…
what a wonderful cake…i’m sure every bite was yummy.
My mom remarried after my daddy died…she’s been married 16 years now and is very happy. He’s become a methodist pastor since they got married, so now she’s a preacher’s wife…
My blog today is dedicated to “tired”… and my Mommy…she’s the best. I’m truly blessed to have been born to her.
She’s taught me love, in good and bad times, through Jesus. She’s taught me to cherish the times I have with my ancients, too.
I wish your friends God’s blessings on their upcoming marriage…how sweet it is!
How beautiful to be “ancient” and to have found love again and to be getting married!! Your prayer at the end really touched my heart. Beuatiful.
In His Graces~Pamela
Some Tuesdays cry out of steak!! What is it about Tuesdays and all it’s crying out?
Loved this post about our God’s gracious and extravagant love for us! Your choice of words always paints such a wonderous picture!
And the pictures themselves today were great too! A good looking group of ladies……and a delicious looking cake! I envy your time of friendship and fellowship!
God bless you!
Marilyn
Elaine,
What an honor it must be for you to embrace, participate and savor life in the midst of the Ancients!!!
WOW, what a time of joy!
Love,
Yolanda
What an absolutely delightful post. Being a complete romantic, this story touched my heart. It has reminded me of the gift God gave me in my beloved husband and my beloved Savior.
Saying “I do” again to Gord and God!
His bride,
Joy
Oh how touching! When I see these women and read about your time with them, it’s hard not to feel,
it’s unfair!!!
What a rich heritage, what a privilege God has granted you by their friendship! (I’m sure they feel the same way about you too!)
Please send my congrats to the new bride to be!!
Hmmmm, that cake, now why would you have to show us BOTH pictures?
PS Oh, I’m really enjoying anonymous!!!
Thank you for sharing this sweet, sweet blessing! I’m so happy for this precious couple. There is something especially poignant about love like this.
Reading about them reminded me of something I was privileged to see a number of years ago. I was at the grocery store one day and in a big hurry. I was running late to pick up Brennan and I was trying to get out the door to my car. There was quite a back-log of people, but I couldn’t see why. I was growing more impatient by the moment. Eventually, the people and carts in front of me began to spill through the door and into the parking lot, I saw the source of the “traffic jam.” It was the most precious elderly couple. She was holding onto his arm and he was walking with her so sweetly…painstakingly and intentionally slow for her benefit. They kept looking at one another and smiling…I’m telling you I was mesmerized. The whole world seemed to stop as I just watched them. Truly one of the most beautiful sights I’ve ever seen.
Thank you for the beautiful reminder of God’s sweet love to us!
Blessings,
Tracy
P.S. That cake looks pretty amazing! Speaking of cake, did you pudding come in today? ; )
How precious. Your shining faces are a testament to how special this occasion is. What a gift to share in the celebration of finding the treasure of a late in life love!
Elaine-I am reading the book you recommended “annonymous” with my morning devotions-THANK YOU! I wish I had it here with me to share what I read this morning it was so incredible and tied in so well with my scripture reading in 2Timothy. Again-thank you!!
In His Graces~Pamela
you touch my heart. every time I remember to click over here, I am changed for the better. I swore I wasn’t going to add any more to my blog list, but I can’t help it. I want to see every new post that comes through.
Glorious!
What an exciting time.
How sweet and special.
Love has been given to us as a precious gift, it knows not race, color or age.
I am so thankful for that.
Blessings my friend, Joanne