Yesterday was Monday, and that was my day off.
My bride and I are dedicated to doing only what we want.
Sometimes it’s something we enjoy.
Other times, it’s absolutely nothing.
I thought about absent love, as in Love not expressed
Because time and distance have separated
Those you claim you know the best.
What can we do when Love is Absent?
Don’t lose the Love!
Absence makes the heart grow fonder…
Or some version of that phrase back in 15 B.C.,
It was a time of long travel periods.
And that’s why I think he wrote it.
Today it’s become a choice.
Separating thee from me
Though memory may be long
Can absent love remain strong?
Maybe that’s why my MIL always said
As she hung up the phone
In a syrupy voice thick as molasses…
“Love ya'” – as we were miles and hours away.
Is love defined as an emotion?
Something that comes and goes at will?
A flash in the pan like anger?
Or is it something more?
Jesus is the epitome of Love.
As he lay dying on the cross
For me, yes, even today
He allowed himself this sacrifice.
Maybe that’s what love should consider
It covers distance as well as time.
And time is not limited to this year’s calendar
But throughout the annals of time.
For Love is resplendent with sacrifice
It’s more about you than me
My heart reaches the one I’ve known
For a very, very long time, I hope you know I love you.
Matthew 5:43-48 NKJV
“You have heard that it was said,
‘You Shall Love Your Neighbor and hate your enemy.’
But I say to you, love your enemies,
bless those who curse you,
do good to those who hate you,
and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you,
that you may be sons of your Father in heaven;
for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good,
and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.
For if you love those who love you,
what reward have you?
Do not even the tax collectors do the same?
And if you greet your brethren only,
what do you do more than others?
Do not even the tax collectors do so?
Therefore you shall be perfect,
just as your Father in heaven is perfect.
Leviticus 19:17-18 NKJV
‘You shall not hate your brother in your heart.
You shall surely rebuke your neighbor,
and not bear sin because of him.
You shall not take vengeance,
nor bear any grudge against the children of your people,
but you shall love your neighbor as yourself:
I am the LORD.
Leviticus 19:33-34 NKJV
‘And if a stranger [guest, foreigner, sojourner]
dwells with you in your land,
you shall not mistreat him.
The stranger who dwells among you shall be to you
as one born among you,
and you shall love him as yourself;
for you were strangers in the land of Egypt:
I am the LORD your God.