We stood facing one another dressed in glory bright and the joy of our coming union. We lifted our voices as we spoke the hope of Lamentations 3:22-23.

‘Because of the Lord’s great love…’

We are not consumed.’

His compassions never fail.’

‘His mercies are new every morning.’

‘Great is your faithfulness.’

These were treasured moments. We had all of this life ahead of us. Yet the sense was we couldn’t make it on our own. The strength of our love would not be enough. We would need to lean heavily into HIS great love, His compassion, mercy and supreme faithfulness.

Now approaching fifteen years of marriage, I think of what these verses have meant. They have weathered all of the transitions from homes and states and countries. They have endured the addition of one, then two and eventually three little lives.

But most I think of the times which would have utterly consumed us. The hospital. First once then twice. The weight of diagnosis. All of the shame and pain of it.

How I was close to death in the ICU at Szent Imre Korhaz. How my spirit was nearly crushed beyond recognition. How we left our long-sought life behind in the blink of an eye. How my beloved had to endure it all as one with me.

Yet it is not the tragedy which is greatest these fifteen years. No, it is the abiding wonder of His great love. It is how He held us in ways so deep, they are forever woven into our spirits. It is His constant fighting for us–how he is present as Emmanuel. It is the sun’s rising each day with an outpouring of fresh, sufficient mercy, holding the promise of new life.

The Enemy is a great Destroyer. He comes chasing at our heels. But God. He lifts us on eagle’s wings upon the dawn of that New Day. His breath of love, a faithful kiss upon our forehead, melts away the hold of darkness.

The truth is the litany of trial within my marriage should render it weak and brittle over fifteen years. There should not be genuine love and warmth in its midst. We should be straining for love and fighting hard to save it or resigning to our fate.

But none of that is what this promise of His Great Love gives. We can expect God to meet us and bind us together. His power is made perfect in our lives through the love which sacrificed itself upon a tree. Our portion is the choicest. He writes our names on His hands and those same hands wrap us up tight and secure, come what may. It is the treasure of His heart. Because He endures all in a love so bold, so unstoppable, so untamable and yet so gentle and personal, we can weather anything.

All of this reflection finds me at the time of year when love is celebrated. I am so thankful for the love I have–in God and in my husband. It’s the love packaged fresh each day, full of delight and promised forever. It’s the love which claims the worship of my heart for it is exquisite beauty. It’s the love which has withstood hell and triumphed. It’s the love I will sing of forever. It’s the only one I celebrate even as I pray its sun shines on all other loves I know.

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