December 22, 2023
Dear friends, let us practice loving each other, for love comes from God and those who are loving and kind show that they are the children of God, and that they are getting to know him better. 1 John 4:7 TLB
Fifty years ago today, two days after being diagnosed with pneumonia, as Central Pennsylvania dug out from a major winter storm, Rod and I joined hands to repeat our wedding vows. We were just beginning the process of joining our lives together, although we naively thought we had it all together. Such is young love.
Unlike English, which has only one word for love, the New Testament writers had four different word choices that are translated “love” into English. The writer of 1 John could have chosen storge, the affectionate feelings we have for our parents, siblings, our children, and other members of our family. He could have chosen philia, the feelings we have towards close friends. He could have chosen eros, the romantic love felt towards one’s spouse. All of these feelings -based “loves” are important, even necessary in a marriage. But instead, he chose agape, the selfless kind of love that acts in the best interest for all human beings. That is where the practice comes in, for agape isn’t driven by or determined by feelings, but driven by the daily year in and year out practice of agape.
I am grateful for 50 years of the affection and comfort that comes from being family together. I am grateful for the friendship we share. I am grateful for romance and passion. And above all, I am grateful for the commitment to love in the best interest of the other. That entails choices every single day. It takes practice, even after 50 years!
Let us practice loving each other, for love comes from God and those who are loving and kind show that they are the children of God, and that they are getting to know him better.
Grateful to God for the gift – and the practice – of love.
Grateful for fifty years, Rod! ~ Anne
Wayfinding 