Daily Wisdom 01-26-2002 A Second Chance at Love

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A Second Chance at Love

While at a recent church bazaar, I had the opportunity to speak to many I normally don't have the chance to speak to in-depth at Sunday services. Sundays are a nice day to nod, smile, and offer a few moments of small talk before and after services, but the fellowship of the bazaar offered our church not only a chance to make some money, but gave members a lovely afternoon of conversation and laughter.

One particular couple I had seen often, assuming them to have been married for a long time, surprised me by telling me the story of how they met. Upon hearing the story, I was deeply touched because it was proof of how miraculously God CAN and DOES work in the lives of those who believe in Him!

When "Raymond" and "Bonnie" met several years ago, Raymond was a widower, and Bonnie was a widow. While I don't know every detail, it seemed obvious that God graciously and mercifully offered both Raymond and Bonnie a second chance at love.As I heard the story of their meeting unravel before me, I was flooded with thoughts of how complex this tale really was.

Imagine for a moment, that the spouse you have known and loved for what feels like a lifetime, has become critically ill, soon to find rest in the comforting arms of the Lord. Imagine the grief and shock one in this position must feel; the stabbing pain of one's heart being emotionally torn in two. For me, the pain is incomprehensible, and I admire anyone who can come out of the grief with sanity intact. And yet, the trauma of losing a loved one is only part of the package, for once the pain, shock and anger subside, and the reality of this profound loss makes its way to the surface, then one must learn how to face life alone.

Alone. While the word alone does not necessarily have to also mean "lonely," many people who find themselves alone, tend to also find themselves feeling lonely. I believe it was said by Mother Theresa that, to be lonely is perhaps the worst sadness.

Loneliness is a profound feeling of facing the world alone, and there is no one to share in the laughter, joys, pleasures, and tears. As was the first man Adam alone, and God saw that it was not good for him and created woman, so too is it better for man to not be an island unto himself.I can only imagine, that God, in all His lovingkindness, reached down in to the lives of Raymond and Bonnie and, for whatever reason, bestowed upon them the greatest gift of all; the gift of love. While most people only experience true love once, our heavenly Father presented to this loving couple a double portion of His very essence; love!

I watched that day, as the mature and womanly Bonnie sat upon Raymond's lap like a youthful, smitten schoolgirl. In their eyes were no longer signs of pain, but happiness and love. Only God could be so good.

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