All Powerful Love

How does one say goodbye to someone they've loved for 55 years?

It seems a cruel thing for any person to have to live through, but so is the cycle of life.

I recently watched my grandmother say her final earthly goodbye to my grandfather. It was nothing short of heartbreaking and the memory of the day will forever be etched in my mind.

Love is powerful. Love is strong. Love changes things.

There were so many times during that 55-year marriage where it may have just been easier to stop loving. In some cases, my human mind can't comprehend why they didn't stop. But, perseverance is the name of the game for people like my grandparents. Hard workers in every area of their lives and that included relationships.

The truth of the matter is, if they chose to stop loving then I would be telling a different story today. Honestly, I probably wouldn't be telling one at all because this would've ended much worse many years ago, I suspect.

I am thankful I'm here telling this story now.

Love changed my grandparents, specifically my grandfather. Love brought him through decades of addiction. Love brought him to give his life to the Lord. Love changed the angry heart of a broken man into the joyful heart of a grateful man. Love sat with him to the very end until he peacefully passed from our arms to the arms of Jesus. Love also changed my grandmother. Love gave her patience. Love made her care more every day. Love kept her pouring from her cup when logic said that cup must be empty. Love brought renewal into a strained marriage. Love brought a man and a wife together. Love provided the strength she needed to say goodbye. Love put our family together. It gathered up all the broken pieces and carefully rebuilt what was once rubble. Love gave us years that we will cherish for all of our days and memories so much sweeter than we could ever imagine. Love changes things. All I can do is thank God for showing love to us so that we know how to love each other.

"How deep the Father's love for us

How vast beyond all measure

That He should give His only Son

To make a wretch His treasure"

Until next time.