Saturday, February 14, 2009

How He Loves

What is it about love stories? Scenes from movies I love become etched in my brain: Aragorn’s captivation with Arwen in “Lord of the Rings”; Nathaniel’s pursuit to rescue Cora in “The Last of the Mohicans”; William Wallace’s passion for Murron in “Braveheart”; or Colonel Brandon’s patient love that waited for Marianne in “Sense & Sensibility”. There’s something about these scenes that speak to the deepest places of my heart. I was after all created for love.


Once upon a time there was a beautiful love story. I was seen, delighted in and loved, yet I didn't really know. A villain had previously entered my story, disguised his voice and told me lies about who I was. He told me that I was not loved or wanted. He whispered to me, “You are lacking”; “You are too much, and not enough all at the same time"; “You are a problem who causes problems.” And I believed him.


Hidden in the shadows was another who was watching, calling out to me. Even when I didn't know Him, He knew me. I never left his eyes. He was waiting to rescue me. He was waiting for me to need His rescue.


One day I cried out. I became his, at least in his eyes, that is.


I wanted to be loved by him, but couldn’t resolve the facts. The things I had heard from the villain seemed so true. They matched up with the things that had happened in my life. I couldn’t believe anything else, for the lies had become my truth.


There was so much that was unlovely about me. How could he possibly love me? Maybe if I worked hard enough for him he would notice me and approve.


No matter how much I did it was never enough. I graded myself daily on my behavior. Surely he must see what I see. Surely he finds me lacking. Yet He waited patiently until I was done looking for love, in all the wrong places. He waited for me to see His. Could it possibly be true that I was being pursued for love alone?


He invited me to take a go with Him into the wilderness. He knew it would be arduous and long, but it was the only way to free my heart. The barren lands and empty springs left exposed what I really believed about me and about Him. I began to remember what had happened while in captivity. Though painful to remember I knew it was the only way to be free to be loved. The lies had to be exposed for what they were in order for the truth to take root.


He never left my side. He was my constant companion. With each memory he soothed me with his words of love, while applying salve to the open wounds. He spoke against the lies that I had believed. He began to tell me the truth of who I was to him. Like a tiny rosebud at the onset of Spring, life and love began to burst into my being.


Finally I began to believe. There was someone who saw me. There was someone who loved me. He had that look in his eyes. I captivated him. I never knew I could be loved so fiercely just as I am.


I am loved with an everlasting love. I am loved forever. I have always been loved. I will always be loved. I am His forever love. He is mine. His love has captured my heart.


Happy Valentines’ Day, Jesus. You take my breath away. I love you forever.

Your Jewel


Therefore I am now going to allure her; I will lead her into the desert and speak tenderly to her. There I will give her back her vineyards, and will make the Valley of Achor a door of hope. There she will sing as in the days of her youth, as in the day she came up out of Egypt. In that day," declares the LORD, "you will call me 'my husband'; you will no longer call me 'my master'." Hosea 2:14-16

©copyrighted: 2008 Julie L. Todd


17 comments:

Tea with Tiffany said... Reply to comment

Love stories, we each have one. Our stories of how Jesus came to our rescue with His perfect love always grab me. I'm lovesick. Always hungry for more of Him.

Thank you for sharing this beautiful visual of love today!

Happy Valentines Day, Julie! You are so special to me. I love you!

Anonymous said... Reply to comment

Julie,

This post makes my heart dance!! It is definitely one of my favorites!

I love the way Christ makes me feel like I'm the most special lady in the universe...love songs have taken on a whole new meaning!

Happy Valentine's Day!!

Love you,
Amy

Shanda said... Reply to comment

Taking it all in.
Thanks for sharing your journey.

Happy Valentine's Day, Julie!

Sita said... Reply to comment

Julie, this was precious to me...thank you...

Karen said... Reply to comment

What a beautiful Valentine blessing! The love of my Saviour does take my breath away...

Aunt Angie said... Reply to comment

Julie your writing takes me to a time when I was deep in the pages of a book called "Hinds Feet on High Places". YOUR writing is as captivating as that. More so. I see my reflection in your words. If you don't have that book---or haven't read it...e-mail me. I will send you my copy.
I LOVED this. I saw me. Again. As I have before in your words.

Loved being with you at the coffee shop! LOVED IT! And YOU!

The Dementia Nurse said... Reply to comment

Julie, I LOVE the stories you tell on your blog - they take me to the happiest places!

Anonymous said... Reply to comment

Julie,
your writing is absolutely brilliant!
a truly excellent post for Valentine's Day.
Liz

Crown of Beauty said... Reply to comment

Yes, once again I agree with every word you wrote. There is one who steals and wants to devastate our hearts, but Jesus loves us with a pure and perfect love! His love heals, restores, re-creates, fulfills...

Laura said... Reply to comment

I'm so glad He pursues, aren't you? It takes my breath away to know how ardently He has sought me. We know the end of this love story, do we not?

Happily ever after...

Julie Gillies said... Reply to comment

Hi Julie,
This is my first visit to your blog - I love your header and the scripture. Powerful stuff!

I'm a home schooling mom (down to my last student) and though I don't have 5 kids, I'm the oldest of 5, so besides our names, we have that in common.

So nice to meet you!

Julie Gillies said... Reply to comment

P.S.

You have gorgeous kids! :)

LisaShaw said... Reply to comment

Julie, when I'm able to visit I am often hanging on at the end of your sentence until the next..

Love your stories/testimonies because you are speaking into our hearts not just to us.

Love you.

Miss G said... Reply to comment

Thank you so much for writing this, Jewel! Thank you, thank you, thank you! Praying I will learn how to believe!!! Believe, believe, believe that I am LOVED for love alone, by God and my husband! Kelly

Lindsey @ A New Life said... Reply to comment

This is so precious! I am learning to walk in that love and to stop trying to prove I deserve it or trying to work to receive it. It is already there!

Thank you for your comment on my post as well...it is true that our sin does not define us, unless we choose to ignore God's grace and to not accept His forgiveness.

Blessings to you!

Elizabeth Channel said... Reply to comment

Oh, I am so glad to become re-aquainted to your blog by Stone Fox! I do remember reading you when I first started blogging and somehow I lost touch.

Your children are so inspiring. They look like children who have followed God's plan. They are all different and have been allowed to follow God's path for them. That is what I want for my children. And to see that is so encouraging.

MyBeloved said... Reply to comment

beautiful...thank you....your story could be my story....