Yes, Love Is A Decision
Today marks one year since Hilda joined Jesus in Heaven. I miss her many times, every day, but my life continues to be walking with Jesus, being led by the Holy Spirit, with His promise of being with Hilda again. That makes each day a new adventure, sometimes quiet and laid back, sometimes exciting and unpredictable. That’s how God wants to lead us day by day. Life with Jesus is the best way to prepare for Heaven.
Hilda’s Capacity To Love
If there is anything about Hilda that I especially appreciated about her, it was her ability to love. The Holy Spirit inside Hilda gave her a great capacity to love. Hilda loves her Heavenly Father and her Saviour and Best Friend, Jesus. She loves her family. She loves her friends. Hilda showed love to people she was just getting to know. Hilda’s capacity to love came from God. God’s love inside her made everything about Hilda that was amazing; her beauty, her smile, her joy, her caring, her cuteness, her ability to empathize with people, even more special.
Hilda was probably the most avid reader I have ever met. Certainly the most beautiful. 🙂 She read books by many Christian and secular authors. One of them was Elizabeth George, who writes devotionals especially for women and teens. As I reflect once again on how extremely blessed I am to be Hilda’s husband, and what a beautiful marriage relationship God allowed us to enjoy, I would like to borrow some thoughts from a short piece on “Love” written by Elizabeth George. This is especially for all married couples, and for those who will someday be married…
Loving your husband or wife is a daily choice. Love may start out as a good feeling, but to love someone long-term is an act of the will. It means loving someone even when he or she may not be lovable at that particular moment. Aside from God, your husband or wife is hopefully your best friend. Enjoy being with him or her. Spoil him or her. Think about your spouse. Pray for him your life partner.
Encourage Your Husband or Wife
But what if you don’t feel this way? The question remains. Will you love your husband? Will you love your wife? Do everything you can – starting right now – to restore your love. Pray for your spouse. Do little acts of kindness for him or her. Express your love in every way you can. Thoughtful deeds of kindness can reenergize your love and revitalize your marriage.
So Many Wonderful Memories of Times With Hilda
Although Hilda and I went through many lean years financially, we had great love and respect for each other, and showed each other that there was nobody in our lives whom we loved more than one another. That included serving each other even when exhausted; showing affection to each other publicly and privately; loving, teaching and spending time with our son Daniel; words of affirmation to friends through phone calls, cards or in conversation; meaningful gifts that showed we were thinking of each other; romantic dates eating Dairy Queen ice cream cones, or eating Wendy’s burgers and fries in a park, followed by a walk; watching Hallmark romance movies together with a cup of tea or coffee and a slice of cake; worshipping God in church with Christian brothers and sisters; teaching kids in mid-week Kids Clubs together; shovelling snow and throwing snowballs together; entertaining or visiting friends and family; enjoying card games with Daniel and Elaine; working on a writing, editing and art project together; reading together while listening to instrumental worship in the evenings; exploring a busy shopping mall with a few purchases; going for a driving adventure; mini-golf with Daniel and family; praying together for a friend in our living room… basically living as “one” with Jesus throughout our days.
Jesus has promised me that Hilda and I will someday be together again, forever. That gives me HOPE to continue walking with Jesus, and the expectation of being one again. I can make the most of my days, asking the Holy Spirit to guide me and help me glorify my King Jesus, to share His love with everyone I come in contact with.
YAY GOD!!
“Love is very patient and kind, never jealous or envious, never boastful or proud, never haughty or selfish or rude. Love does not demand its own way. It is not irritable or touchy. It does not hold grudges and will hardly even notice when others do it wrong. It is never glad about injustice, but rejoices whenever truth wins out. If you love someone, you will be loyal to him no matter what the cost. You will always believe in him, always expect the best of him, and always stand your ground in defending him.” (1 Corinthians 13:4-7 TLB).
Let love blossom in you, my friend.
Harold
