William Gladstone, in announcing the death of Princess Alice to the House of Commons, told a touching story. The little daughter of the Princess was seriously ill with diphtheria. The doctors told the princess not to kiss her little daughter and endanger her life by breathing the child’s breath. Once when the child was struggling to breathe, the mother, forgetting herself entirely, took the little one into her arms to keep her from choking to death. Rasping and struggling for her life, the child said, “Momma, kiss me!” Without thinking of herself the mother tenderly kissed her daughter. She got diphtheria and some days thereafter she went to be forever with the Lord. Real love forgets self. Real love knows no danger. Real love doesn’t count the cost. The Bible says, “Many waters cannot quench love, neither can the floods drown it.”
We sing a song at out church called “The Reckless love of Jesus.” I was reminded the other day that Jesus is never reckless with His love, He is intentional but it appears reckless because He has loved us who do not deserve it. As your Pastor, I implore you to love your spouse with this kind of love. Express your love with words and actions and tender moments. Life is short and love is so hard to find in this life.
Happy valentine, Pastor Mark