Love Lifted Me

This article appeared in The Coosa News in 2011:

Love Lifted Me

Paul Harvey is one of my most favorite radio personalities, with the exception of Rick and Bubba.  Harvey was the one who used the phrase, “And now for the rest of the story…”

He told the story of visiting a church with his wife several years ago.  The preacher, during the course of his message, emphasized the need for hugs and kisses in the marriage relationship.   He spoke at length regarding the Fact that babies who are held and hugged gain weight fifty percent faster than those who are not hugged.  During this time Paul Harvey's wife leaned over and whispered in his ear, "Don't you dare touch me!"

Well, it is that time of the year.  This is time of the year when we hug and kiss and celebrate Valentines Day.  We give boxes of candy to our sweethearts and children tug a box full of valentine cards to school to give to all their friends.  Couples take in a movie and dinner on the town, or maybe a magical three day weekend to some hidden cabin. 

It is the special time of the year when we say, “I love you” to that special someone in our lives.  But why do we wait to say it just once a year, when it is far better to show it every day of the year.

In the play, "My Fair Lady," Eliza is being courted by Freddy, who writes to her daily of his love for her.  Eliza's response to his notes is to cry out in frustration:

“Words!  Words!  I'm so sick of words! ...Don't talk of stars Burning above, If you're in love, Show me!

Don't talk of love lasting through time.  Make me no undying vow Show me now!”

A loving relationship needs more than words.  Oh, sure, saying, “I love you,” means so much.  Bro. Bill Brown taught me some great lessons during his life, sharing with me countless tales of his days living in the heart of government-Washington, D.C.  He showed love in the way he lived, his life was one of care for others, and no matter who you were or where you may have come from (even if you were not a member of his political party) he was going to show love.  But one of the things he taught me, is when we are saying good-bye to someone, tell them you love them, because that might be the last time you see them, this side of eternity.  If there is anything I could say about Bro. Bill, it would be that not only did he say it, he showed it as well.  Let your love be seen!

The writer of Proverbs says, “Hatred stirs up conflicts, but love covers all offenses.” (Proverbs 10:12 HCSB)  He also said, “Better a meal of vegetables where there is love than a fattened calf with hatred.” (Proverbs 15:17 HCSB) 

Later, in the New Testament, the old Apostle John penned these words, “Let us love one another, because love is from God, and everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 
The one who does not love does not know God, because God is love.” (1 John 4:7-8 HCSB)

The greatest passage on love is found in the writings of Paul, to the Corinthians.  He said:

“Love is patient; love is kind. Love does not envy; is not boastful; is not conceited;
does not act improperly; is not selfish; is not provoked; does not keep a record of wrongs;
finds no joy in unrighteousness, but rejoices in the truth;
bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 
Love never ends.” (1 Corinthians 13:4-8 HCSB)

Paul ends this chapter by saying, “Now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love.” (1 Corinthians 13:13 HCSB)

It is this kind of love that will lift another up.  You may never know what you have accomplished in the life of someone else when you show them brotherly love.  They may be walking through a dark valley of despair, or dealing with a major obstacle in their life.  They may be entangled in a web of their own making, or one built by some terrible circumstance.  You come along, show them concern and compassion, love which is pure and unexpected.  That act, as meaningless and common as you may think it to be, is a supernatural act which restores them and their hope.

Love is an incredible thing.  As we celebrate this Valentines Day, let us remember the greatest act of love was when God sent His Son to give us life and to show us the undeserved love of the Father, the Creator of the Universe. (John 3:16) 

As you plan on a time of showering and showing love to that special someone in your life, take a moment and shower God with love, because He loves you more than you know.