Love is not always agreement with someone, but it is always sacrifice for someone. Ann Voskamp, The Way of Abundance
Slipping on my headphones I stepped out into the sunshine of the spring day, leaving the paperwork behind for about an hour or so I presumed. I pressed the shuffle command, which I’d done many times before when taking these neighbourhood walks. But this was the first time (honestly don’t remember this song ever being part of my playlist) that Joshua Kadison’s voice graced my ears.
“You’re beautiful in my eyes…”
Memories, pictures of another time flowed through my mind. A time of a romance decades ago now, that was full of all those romantic things–flowers, poetry, songs, and stolen moments with Kadison’s voice in the background, amplifying the feelings.
The relationship wasn’t right for many reasons. Ended with a sadness. A sadness though, that was wrapped in peace. A peaceful knowing it was the right thing to do.
As I walk in singleness, these moments of jolted memories can tug my heart and I’ll wonder if my heart can even produce a sliver of romance anymore, it’s been so long. In The Way of Abundance-A 60 Day Journey Into A Deeply Meaningful Life, Ann Voskamp questions what her husband is doing up on that ladder fixing the eaves and he responds “Loving you.”
Loving in an everyday romantic way.
I’ll see this in my friend’s relationships. This loving in the everyday romantic way. It’s shown in buying the right type of coffee, or carrying the passports while traveling, or typing the address into the GPS before their wives head out the door, alone. It’s in early morning devotions together (even though he’s not a morning person), in putting her dishes away in the dishwasher without grumbling, or placing her keys on the new key rack he just mounted (as he is hoping to eliminate helping her find her misplaced keys).
And I’m sure you can think of many more everyday romantic ways that say “Loving you.”
I do rejoice in seeing and hearing about these ‘Loving you,” gestures among my married and dating friends. Yet, sometimes there can be a tug of green envy at my heart, maybe even a little hardening too, to deflect the possible arrow of those unworthiness lies.
But I don’t want to grow a hard heart.
For from a hard heart, not only can one not receive, one cannot give either.
A generous person will prosper;
whoever refreshes others will be refreshed. Proverbs 11:12
A friend reminded me the other day of the heart of Jesus. This man who was never married.
This man who’s every moment in his ministry said, “Loving you.”
“He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm resided and all was calm.” Loving you. (Luke 8:24)
“Daughter your faith has healed you.” Loving you. Luke 8:48
“Women you are set free from your infirmity.” Loving you. Luke 13:12
Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” Loving you. John 4:13
Then Jesus stood up again and said to the woman, “Where are your accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you?” “No, Lord,” she said. And Jesus said, “Neither do I. Go and sin no more.” Loving you. John 8:10-11
And the ultimate sacrifice. A life given. Loving you.
This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. Loving you. 1 John 3:167
Everyday, know my friend, no matter your marital status, no matter the disappointments and struggles in your relationships, there is His Love Song that amplifies the message of Loving You more than any other can.
And you’re always beautiful through His eyes.
You are altogether beautiful, my darling; there is no flaw in you. Song of Songs 4:7
Linking up with #TellHisStory Visit other inspiring writers!
Still praying for your happily everafter… Do you remember I said that to you a while ago on your blog? People say helpful things and they are true, things like it is better to trust in God than to trust in Princes, and wait upon the Lord, and trust God’s timing. I can tell you those things are all true. Also this: Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.
But I am praying for a dragon-slaying, castle wall climbing, spell defeating hero to come soaring into your life. God has answered my prayers before, small polite ones and weirdo ones too. So. Just saying. A year from now you could be standing on the Swiss Alps saying, “I do.”
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Aww! Thanks for this Sandi! I do remember your words. The funny thing about your reply too, is that I love the Arthurian stories of dragon-slaying and castle wall climbing, and Switzerland is on my ‘to go to’ list!
“Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.” So love those words. They have inspired me today. Thank you and I’m sure you are blessing to many for all your prayers, especially maybe the ‘weirdo ones’!
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“…that I love the Arthurian stories of dragon-slaying and castle wall climbing, and Switzerland is on my ‘to go to’ list!”
So all you need is the Prince! 😀
….I have no idea why I said the Swiss Alps! Isn’t that WEIRD?
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🙂 You make me smile Sandi!
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Awesome read Lynn ,reminds me as you mention about the kindness of our savior.
Now that’s true Love that whether it be on the mountain top or the valley low he is always with us ,thinking about us and just waiting for us to call upon his name ,to share our love for him with those he puts in our path today
The greatest romance is the one we share with him .
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Simply beautiful, Lynn! Thank you!
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Glad you it was beautiful to you today, Pam!
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Beautiful message.
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So much beauty in the world! Thanks for being here!
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This is beautiful, Lynn. I relate to so much of it and it encouraged me a lot today. It’s so true that love is shown in the little things, in all kinds of relationships, and I loved the examples you drew from Jesus’ life. Glad to be your neighbour at Tell His Story today!
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Hi Lesley! It is the little things, isn’t it, that love often resides? but with big loving results! Glad you were my neighbour for Tell His Story!
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I hear your heart through your words. I adore watching married couples love each well and sometimes wish I had that for myself. But my life is filled with love and I am adored by a God who loves me well. Thank you for your story and linking up today! 🙂
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Mary, your words always show how much you are loved and adored by God. You are a blessing to all of us and glad we are blogger friends!
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“It is the Savior, not a spouse, who completes you.” June Hunt
You have been made complete (Co.l 2:10 NASB).
You have value Lynn because you are complete in Christ.
Thank you for being so open, honest and vulnerable Lynn. (-: Ker
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Beautiful words Lynn. Thank you and God bless
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You are so correct. God shows us over and over how much He loves us. Verse after verse. Example after example. Thanks for these beautiful reminders.
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What a beautiful and uplifting blog post. Your addition of “Loving you” after each of those biblical quotes really personalized the message. This was incredibly powerful. It blessed me greatly. Thank you!
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Making my heart sing with the love of Jesus! And great images too! Thanks and God bless!
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Vulnerable post, Lynn. And it has such fresh, new insight as well. Like this, “For from a hard heart, not only can one not receive, one cannot give either.” Jesus is the lover of our soul, who displays “loving you” moments every day in the everyday. Praying I see them and celebrate them. And praying for your season of singleness. Jesus would be your number 1 guy and if the Lord desires, He brings another one into your life for “loving you” moments.
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What a beautiful reminder that God is always loving us. Thank you for the way you shared this truth.
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Dear Lynn!
It’s a pleasure reading your content here, and you have such beautiful images following your content. You bring an essential topic to the table with this blog post. Your parallel to the life of Jesus here is inspiring.
God bless you and your ministry,
Edna Davidsen
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Oh, Lynn, this is so beautiful and hopeful encouragement for many who are single! I didn’t get married until 33 years old, and I remember those days of longing for love and envy of those who found it. You are such a beautiful soul, full of so much to offer anyone and I just KNOW God has hand-picked your next love and you will meet him in God’s perfect time.
I love your faithful heart and transparency too, my friend. It’s truly inspiring.
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I’m so glad Chris you share so much about marriage and parenthood in your writings. The struggles and blessings are helpful to many I am sure! And also so inspiring!
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Hi Lynn,
It was so good to see your comment on my blog this week and I’m so grateful you’re still reading! 🙂 I know we’ve talked in person about romance (what a lovely time to get to meet you!) but your words about us all being beautiful to God feel comforting and loving. Your words here always direct us to him! Praying for you and believing fresh things are on the horizon for you! xoxo
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It was great to see your writings again Valerie. You inspire me to be a better writer and explorer of words and places! Hugs back!
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Amen-Amein!!
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