Giving Gifts

This may seem like a strange post. I’m going to share my thoughts about love, gifts, death, and words.

Our words can not only affect others, but they can also affect us, how we think and feel about things, about ourselves and others.

This came to my mind last Tuesday night at our Bible study group. We have several couples, but we also have three widows. One of them was talking about the death of her husband and she referred to his death as a loss. Her words started me thinking.

After 58 1/2 years, I love Betty more than I ever have and I know she feels the same about me. Yet, we try to give our human love to God, to make him the highest priority in our lives and let his love come through us for ourselves and for others. We’re trying to be obedient to what Jesus said is the first and greatest commandment: “Love the Lord with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength.” And the second: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

Betty and I often talk about the time when one of us will die and go home to be with the Lord. It’s our way of being honest about life and preparing ourselves for that time when it comes. To avoid it is not a loving thing to do.

With that love in mind and knowing that we have accepted Jesus as our Savior and Lord, we know the one who is left will greatly miss the one who leaves.

But, we’re beginning to see that time will not be a loss, but a gift we will give to our Lord. I truly believe Betty is a gift from God to me and I know she feels the same about me. It seems only appropriate that, when the time comes, we should lovingly and gratefully give that gift back to the Giver.