10. LOVE CAME AT CHRISTMAS
10
Songs of love, messages of love, words of love–love is even in the air we breathe at Christmastime. I love the feeling! Then my friend brought reality to me with his plea, “My wife packed up and moved out. Please pray for her to come back.”
I don’t know the details of my friend’s trouble, but I do know Satan works overtime to ruin relationships. Our Heavenly Father instituted marriage in Eden to bring happiness to His human family. Could it not be that the basic reason for unhappiness in homes is leaving the Father out–the very One who established the home?
After reporting to you that heartbroken cry of my friend, I want to write two examples of good marriages for the benefit of all of us who may need to encourage problem-laden families this year.
One of the sweetest love stories I know is the experience of my own grandparents on my dad’s side. When Grandpa saw Grandma as a teenager, he determined she would be his wife. They married at 18 and 21 and lived together happily for 68 years. I saw them often in my growing-up years and was most impressed with their open affection for each other.
They seemed to be in perfect health, but at age 86 she had a stroke and died. I went to the funeral home with Grandpa and a few other family members to view her body. Grandpa leaned over, kissed her and said, “My old sweetheart went off and left me.”
Two weeks later he died. It was as if he couldn’t live without her. What made their marriage so successful? I think it was the love of God in their hearts. Grandma was a faithful Christian who knelt beside her bed every night to pray aloud. Grandpa wasn’t as open about his faith, but I know he was a believer. Human love can be very fickle—we love today and tomorrow we can’t tolerate each other. Love from above is eternal, which is the love my grandparents had for each other that lasted until death.
A modern-day love story is taking place on an organic farm in eastern Oklahoma. Larry and Sharon were college graduates pursuing their separate careers. Each wanted to be married, but the right person had not come along. They were both approaching 30 when they met. The love bug bit them hard. Sharon had made a commitment, “True Lips Wait, which made the first kiss at the ceremony exciting for all in attendance.
Everybody watched this storybook romance with great interest. As the young couple began life together, happiness shone from their faces. Both Larry and Sharon are strong in their faith with determination to make their home a heaven on earth for their two year old son and baby daughter. These two are a good example of what the Heavenly Father wants marriage and family life to be. What a joy for all of us to behold their success!
We pray that this Holiday Season those in good marriages, others in turbulent unions and those looking forward to being married will be drawn to look to the Baby in the manger. He is a picture of the Heavenly Father’s love, a love He will give to us which can heal troubled homes (plus all other problems). HIS LOVE IS AN IMMEASURABLE LOVE THAT LOVES FOREVER!
HOLIDAY NUT ROAST
3 c raw ground cashews or almonds
2 c vegan vegeburger
2 T olive oil
1 large onion chopped
1 c celery chopped
1 c bread crumbs
1/2 t salt
1 T ground flaxseed mixed with 2 T water
1 T chicken seasoning
1 T Braggs Aminos
1 c almond milk
Combine all ingredients adding milk last. Place into
8 x 8-inch pan. Bake at 350 for about an hour or until
golden brown on top.