Daily Wisdom 03-30-2002 Seeing With The Heart

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Seeing With The Heart

It's hard to believe I have been married to the same man for seventeen years. In some ways it seems like just yesterday when my husband and I met, and in other ways, it seems like I have known him forever. It is now hard to imagine a life without this man who, like I, have poured our blood, sweat and tears in to our relationship. Of course, along with that sweat, was also found laughs, joys, and deep satisfaction.

Like all earthly relationships, our marriage has had its ups and downs; thankfully, mostly ups, but, during those few low periods when even the sound of his voice irritated me, or I was certain I would scream if I saw him in that same worn pair of stinky slippers and sweat pants, a much appreciated moment of spiritual rationalism would hit me, and I wouldrealize what was truly important. What was significant was not gray hair or no hair, beer belly or abs of steel, but how well we both cared for each other; really CARED for each other.

When I say "care," I'm referring to WHO was there to take care of me when I was sick, and hold my hand when I was low? WHO worked two jobs to care for his family because I was home taking care of the children? WHO never uttered a complaint, even when I had gained 20 extra pounds, or dyed my hair a hideous shade of color?

These seventeen years, I have learned much about love. Not the type of love you often see on the movie screen where lustful desires, perfect bodies, and music fills the air, but REAL love, the type that necessitates the seeing with by way of the heart, rather than the eyes.

While today's devotion may appear to be solely about love in an earthly relationship, it also concerns the love our Heavenly Father, God, has toward us. God does not care about our outer appearance, but about what is going on inside our hearts; how well we give and receive love, including the love He has toward us.

Today, won't you invite love in to your life, by asking God in to your heart?

Contributed by Melanie Schurr (Copyright (c)2003 Melanie Schurr) Melanie Schurr is author of "Ecstatic Living Ecstatic Loving: How to have more peace and joy in marriage, and life in general by walking in harmony with God," and "Son Salutations: A refreshing collection of modern inspirations for those who seek God each day." For more information, visit her web page at www.angelfire.com/mi/melschurr