The universal longing every human being possesses is the desire to be loved. Most of us want to love and be loved.
It’s in our DNA. This was God’s design. In His image, we were created and He is love in of itself. He is a relational God who’s greatest commandments revolve around loving Him and loving each other. It doesn’t surprise me we have that longing because He sewed it in our being.
Recently, I’ve been reminiscing over romantic stories of real people that I know. I think about how beautiful it is that a man and woman come together to spend their lives serving God, sharing in laughter, creating memories, and challenging each other to grow for the rest of their lives.
My parents, for instance, truly connected at a mutual friend’s wedding. They met at a basketball game and then my mother blew my dad off at a swimming pool not too long after because she wanted to read her book instead. Later at this wedding she realized her mistake and went to find my dad. Glad she did or I wouldn’t be here! I think it’s a symbolic picture that it was a wedding my parents connected at which represents commitment, romance, and new beginnings.
Within 3 weeks, they knew they wanted to marry one another.
My mom being the brave lady she is asked my dad if he could see himself marrying her. My dad, being the committed, lovesick guy that he was didn’t run at that topic or that question like most men would in their early 20’s.
This love story is my favorite one. I have others that warm my heart but I’ve been witness to this relationship for 24 years.
I’ve seen the way my mom grows anxious when my dad’s physical well-being is threatened or seen her constantly invite him to do things because she adores his company. I’ve watched my dad over the years selflessly love my mom by doing small and significant things for her like being the only husband helping in her elementary classroom before school starts or sending her an accapella group on Valentine’s Day during her job. I’ve seen them burst out in laughter together too many times to count. It could fill someone’s life with constant joy if you bottled it up and shared it with someone.
My parent’s love could write a storybook.
It isn’t perfect but I’ve witnessed real, everyday love, not the sugarcoated Hollywood romantic comedy kind. I’ve been given a great viewing of what it looks like to be selfless with and to someone else. I’ve seen them make mistakes but then work things out. They’ve been together for 27 years and still love each other as much as the beginning or even more than then. They are best friends through and through.
I love my parents if you didn’t notice. I cannot help but share the beautiful, envy worthy details about them.
Recently, as I realize I am halfway through this journey and mission, I have an amplifying longing for God to give me someone to love as I think about how this required singleness is halfway over. I’ll admit that. There’s an old but returned desire in my heart to have a man who loves the Lord to grow old with.
When I think of the marriage I envision and dream about, I picture this magnificent, sturdy tree like the one in Lion King where the wise, crazy baboon Rafiki lives. It’s this tree that has roots grinding into plowable earth and the roots are where Christ resides. Everything flourishing from those roots are of Him, it’s what keeps the entire tree alive and thriving.
If life isn’t found in the roots – Christ – then the whole system will decay and become ill. It’s what enriches its leaves and keeps the tree clothed in a deep, lovely, forest green. Branching out from the tree is everything else: laughter, connection, intimacy, joy, love, endurance, selflessness.
I desire this enough that I’ve softly asked the Lord to give me someone to love too. Usually in vulnerability and with a tender, play-dough-like heart.
And He says He already has given me someone to love.
The man who tragically lost his brother in Malawi.
The little Zimbabwean girl that longs to be seen while at camp for a week.
The teenager in the Romanian hospital that lost her way but wants to have a relationship with God.
The elderly, sweet woman selling flowers for a livelihood on the corner of the streets in Serbia.
The college students that are strangers that never understood Jesus or feel lost from their faith in Botswana.
This world is someone to love. I know God longs for me to seek to love someone right now in the present. My husband and family may be in the future or may not be but I want to trust striving to love numerous someones in other nations is just as beautiful. It’s a tough wrestling with the desires of my heart. This perspective though reminds me that right now my heart is awake and passionate even without those desires for a godly man and children being met as I sit here in Botswana, Africa.
An artist John Lucas has a song called “This Will Be Our Home” and its lyrics are what I picture for my hopes of the future. As I dreamed of this someone, I thought suddenly of God, I realized He has always been the place described in these words. It still requires that perspective shift I just mentioned.
He is my home, where my sorrows are released, and where my true joy and peace exists. One day maybe there will may be little feet pattering through the house but for now my adventure with God lies right here. Right here, where I am at, on this journey traveling with Him to ministries around the world.
“Close your eyes, my darling
And let me sweep you off your feet
There’s a home in the meadow
And it’s a home you ought to meet
This will be our threshold
To our home of joy and peace
This will be the place
Where our sorrows are released
I know the walls are for now a little empty
But you’ve the eye of an artist
So let’s paint the walls with laughter
Until not a spot is missed
Entwine your treasures on the shelves with mine
And hang your dresses by the mirror
I’ve never heard my heart sing
The way it is now that you’re here
This, oh this, this will be our home
For tonight let’s leave the dishes in the sink
And our shoes by the bottom stair
For dancin’ in the kitchen’s better
When your feet are bare
And one day we’ll own a piano
And a fireplace where all the music will go
Up through the chimney
Oh we’ll play for all the stars
This, oh this, this will be our home
And one day we’ll add a room or two
For little feet to come pattering through
But for now, this home will just hold me and you
And our home may soon change places
As we bound mountains
And walk on oceans without fear
But for now our adventure lies here
Oh for now, our adventure lies here
This, oh this, this will be our home
