Love Is Commitment in Action

Who Put the Vinegar in the Salt?

Part XI

“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men”

(Matthew 5:13NIV).

Morning has broken, and with it comes a familiar aroma. He stands there, gently calling me. When my sleepy eyes begin to focus, he hands me my morning love offering, a cup of steaming hot coffee. I pull myself out of my coma enough to accept his token of affection. The escaping aroma gently foliates my senses, gradually bringing me to useful consciousness.

I am not, never have been, nor will ever be a Morning Glory. My husband, on the other hand, wakes up fully alert and instantly programmable. Rather than ridicule my deficiency, he compensates for it. Truthfully, it is not the coffee that spurs me on for the day. I am awakened by a selfless act of love, a daily reminder of His faithful devotion, the salt in my morning.  

          This kind of love, love in motion, should permeate the body of Christ. Yet, too often churches fall apart because members stand in harsh criticism of one another’s weaknesses, especially when that deficiency means another member must work harder to pull up the slack. “I don’t have time for your grogginess,” we scream at the weaker brother. We quote Scripture and cover them with guilt. We point an accusing finger. “If you were a good Christian, you’d get your own cup of coffee so I can be about doing other things for Christ.” The world sees our inability to love wholeheartedly and views Christianity as tasteless and undesirable.

In 1 Corinthians 13, Paul defines love as patient and kind. It is not envious, boastful, proud, rude, self-seeking, easily angered or calculating. Love protects, trusts, hopes, perseveres and never fails. This is the kind of love Christ desires for the Church. His love extended. Selfless. Unconditional. “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:34 – 35 NIV).

In the children’s classic story, The Velveteen Rabbit, a stuffed toy wants to be real. At first, he sits on the shelf with the other toys. When the boy becomes ill, the rabbit is given to him for companionship. In the course of time, the rabbit shows the impact of wear and tear. His beautiful fur is torn and matted. When the boy’s health improves, the rabbit is tossed aside and forgotten. The rabbit only becomes real through sacrifice.

Unconditional love, the love that Christ extends to us, the love He wants us to extend to others, may sometimes hurt, is sometimes unappreciated, and often quickly forgotten.  Yet love, Christ love, undefiled and pure, dusts the world with flavor. It is what people everywhere hunger for. This love is more than a handshake on Sunday morning. More than a dutiful card shower to a sick friend. Christ love is tested, endures, and is witnessed when a husband brings his unworthy, sleepy-eyed spouse a needed dose of understanding in the form of a cup of coffee.

 “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers” (1 John 3:16).

Your Life A Legacy

I'm happy to present a guest author today.

A Drama  Queen in Love

A Valentine's Day

Real Love Story

By Joy DeKok

Author of  Your Life A Legacy  

When I became a believer at fifteen, I knew if my dream of marriage was going to come true, the guy  was going to have to believe in Jesus. I wanted him to be good looking and nice to me.

There was this tall, handsome, redhead at church who seemed like an excellent candidate. I was determined he was going to notice me and it was going to take some planning. Our youth group had an ice skating party and although I didn't skate, I knew he had signed up to go, so I was there. I asked a girlfriend to take me and then later to leave me so I'd need a ride home. She was happy to help. He gave me a ride home, a very quiet ride. I wasn't sure if he was a quiet person or didn't like me. I decided to find out.

First on the agenda, wear a blue outfit to church. I knew I looked pretty good in blue. Next, every eyelash had to be in place, because my eyes were my best feature – I reapplied it at least once. (I used a straight pin to separate each lash – this was serious stuff!) Finally, I needed a moment to say just one witty thing. My opportunity came when he opened the door for me after the service. I walked by him and said, "My  numbers in the book." He said, "So is mine." Drat. It worked in some movie or TV show.

At home that evening, I told my parents what I'd said. I remember raised eyebrows and shaking heads. I was certain any chance I had of being Jonathan DeKok's girlfriend were gone. I was seventeen and convinced I'd blown it. Forever. And ever.

When the phone rang the next evening, I was surprised to hear his voice. He asked if he could stop by and show me his new car. My yes was enthusiastic instead of cool, but he didn't seem to mind. I was feeling unprepared, and I asked my mom to keep him company while I got ready.  When I came downstairs hoping to make a "grand entrance" I found her sitting on the arm of the chair Jon was sitting in, and a photo album with my baby pictures in it was on his lap. They were agreeing I'd been a beautiful baby.

He took me for a short drive in his 1970 Dodge Charger 500. It was metallic blue with a white Landau roof, and glass packs – you know the things that make the sound "blub, blub, blub" when a car is going slow or idling. The whole neighborhood knew when he was on his way to pick me up. That delighted me.  I imagined them saying, "There goes Joy's boyfriend."

There were a few months as a couple, then a break-up, a short engagement, and finally, a New Year's Day wedding a month after my nineteenth birthday.

That was thirty-five years ago. He admits he was surprised by my dramatic line, but says he was also glad to have the invitation so clearly stated. The Dodge Charger is long gone, but he's still taking me for rides, and one of the best things: the number in the book is ours.

http://www.joydekok.com/

http://booksbyjoy.com/