“Greater
love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.”
(John 15:13, NASB).
2017 has been a
difficult year for my family with the passing away of my father. Concerning the
love my parents had for each other, three simple words come to mind, “I Love
You.” For over 54 years my father both showed and said these words to my mom.
He more than proved his words true by his sacrificial actions. As I trace the
history of my dad’s words to my mom, “I Love You,” a beautiful picture emerges.
When I was a small child, my little eyes saw and my small ears heard those
words from my father’s mouth to my mom, they were both strong and sure, for
they were the life’s blood of my dad’s heart that naturally flowed out to my
mother. As the years flew by, his words never faded, but stood strong, even
through the storms of life. Not once did his “I Love You” falter for my mom. No
other woman caught my dad’s eyes except my mom. During my late teen years, I
noticed my parents were getting older, yet my dad’s love for my mom never grew
weary or tired of my mom. He would say those words faithfully, “I Love You.”
Even through my 20s, 30s, and beyond my dad’s words never lost their vigor, I
would hear him say time and again, “I Love You.” Finally, the twilight years of
my dad’s final days had come, old and full of years. My dad suffered from
Alzheimer’s disease that was robbing him of his memory and life, yet my ears
still heard those all too familiar words uttered to my mother, “I Love You.”
Though Alzheimers was ravaging his memory, but his heart stayed the course
sure, vigorous, strong and true, just like in his youth, when he first uttered
them to my mother. Then the time came when my dad lay on a bed in a hospital,
his voice was faint and weak, yet those words were uttered to my mom once
again. In a low whisper he said, “I Love You.” Neither old age, failing health,
or even Alzheimers could stop such words, precious words. Since my sister,
brothers, and I are an extension of the love my dad had for my mom, his words
were equally true of us as well. There is a lovely picture of my mom and dad
looking at each other, a time capsule that has frozen forever the moment that
testifies of my dad’s love for my mother.
My dad’s example of
love for my mother is a lovely picture of Christ’s love for His bride, the
Church. The Lord Jesus Christ loved the Church so much that He gave His life
for her. His “I Love You” moment was beautifully demonstrated on the Cross at
Calvary. As our beloved Friend He laid down His life for us,
Dear
Lord Jesus, too often we say “I Love You” to our loved ones in a loose manner
that robs these precious words of their true meaning. Lord, forgive us and
restore unto us the true conviction of these words, so that we may used them
wisely and say them from the heart, “I Love You.” Yes, Lord Jesus we love you
above all else. For in loving You, we will be able to love others in the way
they should be loved and appreciated. Amen.
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