Sunday, February 14, 2010

Disappointment, or Unfailing Love?


by Debra E. Marvin

Place me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm; for love is as strong as death, its jealousy as unyielding as the grave. It burns like blazing fire, like a mighty flame.

Valentine’s Day is a holiday that thrives on expectation--the joy found when our beloved goes out of his way to show us his undying devotion and love.

I don’t want a last minute card, I want a personal note.
I don’t want the expected, I want the unexpected
I don’t want actions done under pressure, out of guilt, I want to see the heart.
Love me daily, passionately. Jealously defend my heart, don’t fail me, don’t turn away because of my weaknesses…look past the outside and know the woman I am and all that I can be.

Impossible?

I’ve found one who knows me through and through--my worries and insecurities don’t drive him away; when my self-focus disappoints him, he doesn’t reciprocate. He listens to me when I need to ramble and vent and cry and he dries my tears and reminds me of his faithfulness. When I lose my way, he takes my hand and when I can’t see my value he reminds me that I am his…cherished so much that he would die for me.

He sees me as beautiful, priceless. He chose me and wants to spend time with me. Eternity.

He can never disappoint me and I never doubt his love because he’ll fight for me, move heaven and earth to show me he loves me. He’s proven it in a thousand different ways.

He wants my love, but leaves that choice up to me. What kind of fool would turn away?















I don’t have anything to prove to him. I don’t have to "play games" to make sure I’m noticed or that I’m respected or that I’m capable. I don’t have to bear my burdens alone because he lifts them off.

He gives me my inner most desires before I ask. His promises are unbreakable and I am willing to give up all my rights because he knows better than I.

He reaches out for me and I can go into the shelter of his arms anytime I need to. And when I get far away and have lost sight of him, I only have to turn and his hand is there, waiting for me to take it.

He walks ahead of me, makes a way for me, fights my battles, overwhelms my enemies.
He stands, with love in his eyes, and presents me to all as his bride, pure, fought for, loved. More than I can understand.

Every day, every moment.

I am special. I am loved.

If you’ve been disappointed or today has become a painful reminder of what’s lacking in your life, you are one of many, many people who find Valentine's Day an empty holiday. Don’t expect perfection in an imperfect world. If you're alone in this journey, He will fill that 'aloneness'. No one is capable of filling the void in our lives but the one who created us. He is the only one who will never fail you. Talk to him. He’s listening.

We are too. Email us at InkwellInspirations@gmail.com if you’re hurting or you need to talk.

The beautiful poetry at the beginning of my post is from Song of Solomon where Jesus' relationship with believers ("the church") is represented by a maid and her love, a bride and her bridegroom. God's love for us is passionate. Never doubt it.

debraemarvin.com

Rose photo:
Image: Salvatore Vuono / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

10 comments:

  1. Happy Valentine's Day!

    “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices in the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. … And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love.”

    I Corinthians 13:4-8, 13 NIV

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  2. Deborah, what a perfect Valentine's Day devotional. I'm not actually a huge fan of the holiday because I had a few empty ones as a young lady. I always feel for those people. I also had a few confusing ones when my marriage was rough, and I didn't want to be fake but didn't want to bring up awful issues either.

    Jesus is the lover of my soul who will never let me down. His love alone is perfect!!!

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  3. Awesome post Deb. Have a beautiful day. I pray all my Inky sisters and our visitors be surrounded by HIS peace and love. May we all enjoy our friends.

    FRIENDS
    There's nothing like a walk you know
    To calm a troubled mind;
    For worries like the air we breathe
    It seems we leave behind.
    It doesn't matter where we walk
    Our spirit to defend.
    It will be much more healing though
    If we walk with a friend.

    A friend can help to bear the weight
    That's really got us down.
    The love of friends is all we need
    To melt away our frown.
    A friend relieves the pain as well
    That stimulates the tears.
    To be held close when 'darkness' falls
    Will banish all our fears.

    The walk through life can be so long
    For those without a friend.
    Increasing isolation though
    Seems now to be the trend.
    We shouldn't have to look for friends.
    They should be part of life.
    There're difficult to find because
    Our lives are full of strife.

    To ease the strife is difficult.
    God help us make amends
    So we create a life in which
    We're all each other's friends.

    River of Golden Dreams

    ReplyDelete
  4. Thanks Virginia!
    A great reminder of true love.

    I'm making a quick stop in today because I am babysitting my granddaughter. By the time I get her settled for a nap, I will probably fall asleep myself!

    Hi Dina! I agree and that's what precipitated my post today. I remember years when I dreaded this holiday!

    Jilly - a beautiful poem for a good day to remember the joys of friends who love us.

    May everyone have a blessed day!

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  5. The couple who sang at my wedding found a song based on the Song of Solomon. We selected it instead of the usual wedding march. I'm so glad I have it on video, especially since my sweetheart is now with the Lord.

    Thank you for reminding me of my greatest sweetheart, the Lord Jesus Christ.

    Blessings,
    Susan :)

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  6. Lovely, Deb! Thank you for the sweet devotional. Praying you all enjoy a precious day with our loved ones and our Loving Lord.

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  7. Beautiful, Deb. Absolutely beautiful.

    Jilly, your poem was beautiful, too.

    Virginia, thanks for the "love" scriptures.

    Susan, I'm so glad you have your wedding on video. What a special remembrance.

    I hope everyone had a blessed day.

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  8. What an amazingly beautiful post! Blessed be the name of the Lord, He is my refuge. I'm so glad He loves me.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Thanks for this Deb, I read it as I rushed off to church and in the ensuing excitement didn't get back to it. Good job.

    ReplyDelete

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