Hope 4-6-10

Hope

This past Sunday was Easter and we had the privelege of going to my parents and spending the day with them, along with Grandma and Grandpa. The day was beautiful...we had a delicious meal, went on a family walk...lots of things. But it was also the first time ever that Grandpa didn't know who I was. His mind and body seem to be deteriorating rapidly. We are praying that he can make it until May 28, when they will celebrate their 65th anniversary. But Grandma seemed laden with the reality that it may or may not happen. She has selflessly given of herself for their entire marraige, and yet the last weeks she has poured every part of herself out for him in ways I cannot even imagine. Sometimes we worry over her health, she gives so much. On Sunday when she had gotten Grandpa tucked into his chair, he took her hand and looked up to her and said, "You won't leave me will you?" A fear most of us never vocalize.

Gram calmly answered his questons over and over througout the day. "Do we still live in Millburg?" "Where are we?" Everytime she had just as much joy and exuberance in her voice as the time before. She is the greatest example of faithfulness and selflessness that I have ever witnessed. Her love for him is mindboggling, especially knowing what we do. Commitment as she defines it goes far beyond the loop holes so many of us make as an easy way out of difficult relationships. Her life has so much to teach, if only we will listen. My Grandma is the embodiment of grace and stength and selflessness and love as it was intended to be. She has made mistakes, but that just makes her glow with grace. I thank God for her in every way.

I was teaching today in my psychology class on motivation. The motives of love came up and I asked the class about their thoughts on life-long love...and unconditional love. I got a variety of responses. But one person in particular, near the end of the discussion asked me with conviction in her voice, "You really don't think your man is going to cheat on you?" "All men cheat!" You should have heard the conviction...she has been burned and in her world this is her reality. It took me aback for a moment...the sheer conviction in her voice, as well as the affirmations that erupted from her comment. And then I said, "No, I really don't think he is going to cheat on me." And that opened a door for a whole new discussion. I can't foretell the future. None of us are above sin. But cheating is one of the last things I would ever suspect my husband of. It is just not his nature...his character. I live in trust that Jonathan will honor and protect our marriage and his heart in such a way as to honor God. And I give my best to do the same. I trust that God will protect our hearts and our eyes and our attitudes and our actions. This doesn't make us better than anyone else. In fact I told my class that while I have not failed in this aspect, I have failed in many, many others. GRACE. I thank God for what we have been spared...and for the gift of choice...for the heart of my husband...for forgiveness when we do fail...and most of all for redeeming grace. Grace is what makes all things new again. Thank God for grace...