What
Love Looks Like
Love never fails
1 Corinthians 13:8
I neither heard complaint, nor saw a
single self-regarding act in the two weeks I’d been a guest in Tom
and Elsie’s home. The love they shared was a remarkable thing to
witness…for as Elsie fought against the cancer that was slowly
taking her life, Tom fought for her dignity.
One evening, I silently observed as Tom
helped Elsie into bed following a long, difficult day. I was moved by
the tenderness and attention he so generously lavished upon her.
Helping her to a sitting position, allowing her to help herself as
much as possible, Tom bent low, kissed her, and asked, “How’s
that, My Love? Comfortable?”
With the understanding that this would
normally be a private moment, shared by soul-mates wholly devoted to
each other, I unreservedly eavesdropped, feeling I was meant to
witness love’s lasting pledge. With unconstrained compassion, and a
willingness to meet each need and satisfy every whim, Tom ministered
to Elsie until she quietly slipped into the light sleep they had
become accustom to…little snatches of rest that didn’t last long
at this stage. Watching her sleep, Tom patiently awaited the moment
Elsie would suddenly awaken, anxiety in her voice, asking, “Tommy?!
Oh, Tommy! What will you do?!” She couldn’t stand the thought of
him being alone.
Unable to embrace Elsie’s fragile
body, Tom lay beside her and I was privileged to observe one of
love’s greatest sacrifices as he said, “God will take care of me,
My Love. I will be fine. You needn’t worry.” Shortly thereafter,
with Tom holding his beloved and the knowledge they would one day be
together again, Elsie went Home to Jesus.
†
Such genuine devotion is rarely
witnessed, but is the model by which we are to live and love in
marriage. Such a depth of commitment is only possible when our hearts
are bent first to Jesus, and then to our spouse. It requires
self-abasement; a willingness to put our spouse's welfare ahead of
our own…no matter how tough the going gets.
Watching Tom and Elsie in those final
days, I realized 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 had been lived out in front of
me. This was what love is meant to look like. Theirs was a love that
never failed.
Prayer
“Help me love
extravagantly and unselfishly, Lord. Help me feel toward my spouse as
You feel about Your Bride. Amen.”
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