I rarely, no very seldom, no actually never (that I can remember) forward those emails we all get that have the touchy-feely moralistic bent to them or the superstitious “Forward this and you will be…” vibe. Today is an exception, sort of. I received this little story from a friend and was touched by it in light of its deep and too often missed truth. It serves as a great reminder to us all of the power of true and lasting love. The kind of love we so often aspire to is the less than genuine, sex driven, looks driven, emotion driven, and me driven substitute we see on television and the silver screen. Its the kind of “love”, romantic “love” that singers and songwriters wax on about as they jump from one failed love affair to another. If that kind of love is so life-altering, we might pause and ask, then why are so many of those folks who promote it so miserable and relationally broken? There must be something missing.The idea of love and romantic aspiration is one I have thought much about and written about to some degree (if you have been reading my blogs the last year you know this!). The thoughts and need to write on this theme are fanned into flame this time of year as the upcoming Cupid inspired holiday approaches, of course. As a single guy, content yet certainly not opposed to a love affair, I am as vulnerable as the next sap to the pull of the upcoming Love Day. Yet, my prayer, by God’s grace, is not that I might find that irresistible hottie (who should also have a great intellect, great personality, great style, great spiritual focus, great relational skills…oops, I digress), but rather, that in His time, place and plan, I can offer myself in the kind of deep, abiding, and selfless love He longs to give me for a woman, and that He longs to give all of us for others. That, I will be honest, is not an easy prayer for a divorced single guy who has felt the pain of broken relationships. Its easier just to make it about me.And so, just as I have been pondering this theme, along came this little story, through the mass of other emails, and for some reason I opened it. Its a story of selfless love and abiding otherness that few love affairs and few marriages experience. Its the kind of love we should all long for. Its bigger than circumstance, deeper than romance (though I fully embrace the need for romance we all share), purer than hope for a better day, and more sustaining than pleasure. May God give it to each of us, may we pray for it whether we are single, divorced, married, happily married, barely married, or whatever the case may be. I think this is a little taste of what God has in store for all those lovers that approach Him with an honest and hungry heart, a selfless heart.So, without further delay, here is the story. And I promise, if you forward this blog (the best blog on planet earth!) to … well, o.k. I can’t promise you anything. It is however, worth your time and consideration. After reading it, consider reading I Corinthians 13 (The true love manual). Read on, and learn to dance your way through the Valentine’s holiday, into your lover’s heart, and throughout the journey of life. Love makes all the difference.
It was a busy morning, about 8:30, when an elderly gentleman in his
He said he was in a hurry as he had an appointment at 9:00 am.
I took his vital signs and had him take a seat, knowing it would be over an hour before someone would be able to see him.
I saw him looking at his watch, and decided, since I was not busy with another patient, I would evaluate his wound.
On exam, it was well healed, so I talked to one of the doctors, got the needed supplies to remove his sutures and redress his wound. Whiletaking care of his wound, I asked him if he had another doctor’s appointment this morning, as he was in such a hurry.
The gentleman told me no, that he needed to go to the nursing home to eat breakfast with his wife.
I inquired as to her health; he told me that she had been there for a while and that she was a victim of Alzheimer’s Disease.
As we talked, I asked if she would be upset if he was a bit late.
He replied that she no longer knew who he was, that she had not recognized him in five years now.
I was surprised, and asked him, ‘And you still go every morning, even though she doesn’t know who you are’?
He smiled as he patted my hand and said, ‘She doesn’t know me, but I still know who she is’.
I had to hold back tears as he left; I had goose bumps on my arm, and thought, ‘That is the kind of love I want in my life’.
True love is neither physical, nor romantic. True love is an acceptance of all that is, has been, will be, and will not be.
With all the jokes and fun that are in e-mails, sometimes there is one that comes along that has an important message.
This one I thought I could share with you.
The happiest people don’t necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the best of everything they have.
I hope you share this with someone yo u care about. I just did.
‘Life isn’t about how to survive the storm, But how to dance in the rain.’
And it’s wonderful! Bruce Smith optimuslife.org
How To Dance In The Rain… (and love it)
80’s,arrived to have stitches removed from his thumb.