Last week we had an ice storm. There wasn't large amounts of ice, but enough to cause black ice which caused many accidents and cars landing in ditches. Now, you might be asking yourself, "What does ice have to do with a love story?" Just hang with me, it gets better.
As a woman was traveling home from work she was caught in the storm. The ice made it impossible for her to go anywhere. Traffic was at a stand still since they had shut down the road. She was running out of gas and was very cold. She didn't have a lot of warm clothing with her. After all, she was just coming from work and on her way home. The ice storm came much earlier than expected and ended up being much worse than predicted. (Isn't that just like life though?) I am sure she was thinking she would be home and warm in no time. But, that is not what happened to her this night. In fact, while calling her husband, she realizes her phone is about dead. Don't ya know, she is just beside herself now. Her husband gets in his truck and is off to get his beautiful bride, but in the process, his truck goes off the road. You must understand, we live in the country. These are not easy roads and the road crews do not get in a hurry to get the roads clear. But again, they too were caught off guard.
So, now this is where the story brings tears to my eyes. (Yes, I cried when I heard this story.) This man was not giving up. With help from a neighbor he got back home. He dressed warm and packed his wife a bag of warm clothes. He takes off on the four-wheeler! This is just just right up the road, but at least a fourteen mile track in the cold. He was going after his wife. He knew she couldn't sit in the car with no heat for very long and like others she could have been there all night. It would be hours before she would be able to move and by then she would be out of gas. There was nothing stopping this man from going and getting his wife. He does exactly that. Can you imagine the look upon her face as she sees her husband coming up in the four-wheeler? She might be thinking, "You crazy fool", but more than anything she had to thinking, "Wow, this man really loves me." He picks her up and they are headed for home. This is a great love story to me. He was willing to go however far and do whatever he had to do for the love of his life. He was willing no matter the cost.
So, now this is where the story brings tears to my eyes. (Yes, I cried when I heard this story.) This man was not giving up. With help from a neighbor he got back home. He dressed warm and packed his wife a bag of warm clothes. He takes off on the four-wheeler! This is just just right up the road, but at least a fourteen mile track in the cold. He was going after his wife. He knew she couldn't sit in the car with no heat for very long and like others she could have been there all night. It would be hours before she would be able to move and by then she would be out of gas. There was nothing stopping this man from going and getting his wife. He does exactly that. Can you imagine the look upon her face as she sees her husband coming up in the four-wheeler? She might be thinking, "You crazy fool", but more than anything she had to thinking, "Wow, this man really loves me." He picks her up and they are headed for home. This is a great love story to me. He was willing to go however far and do whatever he had to do for the love of his life. He was willing no matter the cost.
"For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength." Philippians 4:13
A few days ago my husband and I went to the movies. We saw, "True Grit." This is an awesome movie my friends. Yes, I sat next to my husband and found myself crying yet again. The story line is about having grit, true grit. Not allowing fear to overcome you, but being able to do what you must. The young girl in the movie gets snake bitten and of course they are in the middle of no where. The U.S Marshall she has paid to hunt down the killer of her father is there to rescue her. He brings her out of the hole she has fallen in. Kills the snakes around her and sets her on the horse and takes off. He is old and feeble in many ways, but he is determined to bring this child to safety. He knows she will die if she is not taken to the doctor. He rides for hours. The horse is worn out. After the horse falls he picks this child up and carries her until his legs can no longer take a step. He was willing to sacrifice all. He was willing to go the extra mile. This was love.
"So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you." Deuteronomy 31:6
There are many great love stories. You can turn on the Hallmark channel and cry for hours as you see love come to life before your eyes. My friends, there is a greater love story. It is the love story between our Savior and His children. A love story that began before the sun and the moon were hung in the sky. It carried through to December 25 when our Savior was born and still continues today. It is a never ending love story made just for you and me. He gave the ultimate sacrifice. His life. He knew there was no other way and He was not willing to leave us in the elements of this world alone. He took those steps to the cross when He didn't have to. He chose to give His life for ours.
Jesus Christ is the ultimate Prince of princes, King of kings, Lord of lords. We have His love letter to prove it. He gave us His word so that we might seek Him and accept Him. We search our whole lives for love. All we really want is to be loved. His love is real and lasting. All we really want is to be accepted. Jesus we will meet us where we are. Accept us for who we are. He wasn't just willing to go to the ends of the earth to prove His love, He went all the way to the cross. There is no movie, no story greater than His. He didn't just die for us. He is coming back for us. He is preparing a home we could never imagine right now as we speak. He is making a room for you. You will eat at His table and worship with Him face to face. He has made a way for you my friend. He will never leave you stranded. He is prepared to be there for us when we are in our greatest need. He will show up when we least expect and carry us through our darkest night into the light of tomorrow.
"But God showed His great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners." Romans 5:8
"Three things will last forever-faith, hope, and love-and the greatest of these is love." 1 Corinthians 13:13
