Romance the Bride
So this idea has been in development since 2005. While reflecting one day on my desire to find a girlfriend, God impressed this thought upon me. “Care for my Bride, and I will care for YOURS. And when the time is right, we will switch.” It gave me a new approach to church, and within DAYS I met the girl who would become my first love. That relationship has since ended, but I longed for the openness that lesson instilled in me. And in light of Valentine’s Day, God renewed the instruction in this way: Romance My Bride. Romance…with my time, my attention, my encouragement, my service, my funds (tithe). My first relationship taught me how to love, and I have been frustrated from having no current outlet for those feelings. Wanting to care and treasure something, someone. Now I can. I want to do more than simply attend church…I want to be INVOLVED. Ministry, outreach, teaching, learning…shifting from a student to a full adult member. My attitude is changing…and I long for my church community. No longer a mindset of ‘I should go because I am SUPPOSED to.’
I was pleased V-Day fell on a Thursday this year. It meant I COULD romance…because my Bible study group meets on Thursdays.
So what could I do…well, flowers are out. Not enough funds. Hmm...hehe, what bride would pass up chocolate on this day? I remembered a unique treat at Wal-Mart. A THREE pound chocolate Heresy’s heart. So I went to purchase the hunk of sugar. I walked in, found it, but did not want to carry it around while I ran other errands in the store. Came back…and it was gone. ALL of them were gone. Walgreen’s…gone. Scott’s…GONE. I sat in my car, actually hurt and frustrated.
Me: God, I do not understand. I wanted to do this for the group. Why is this happening?
God: What would a bride want? True, that heart is both unique and rare (only being available this time of year), but what would she truly want? Something you ran to the store to buy…or a favorite dessert you spent time and effort making yourself?
Me: …You want me to make scotcharoos (my favorite treat outside of raw cookie dough) for the group.
God: If you want to romance the Bride, you will do it properly.
Me: Teaching about love every chance you get, eh?
God: I am preparing you for the future. *wink*
Came home, and started my next idea: a valentine. Now, I cannot write poetry well. It comes from the resentment of being bound by rhyme, meter, diction, etc. I want to just WRITE, and not follow rules. So a love poem was out…but a heartfelt letter was just my style. [Note: in the letter I am not trying to replace Jesus with the church. I was reflecting on its status as the forerunner of God’s kingdom, and my new appreciation for it.]
A Valentine letter to the Bride,
We have known each other for so long, but I am just now learning what love is, and what love requires. I treasure this new dimension in our relationship.
I adore your loving acceptance of all people. You stop to speak with anyone from all walks of life. You welcome the young and old into your home. You have friends all over the world, and that number continues to expand.
You are prepared to serve at any moment, at any time. The money and resources you receive you gladly give away to those in need. You only keep what you need for yourself. Through your tender actions you inspire hope wherever you are.
You always have a cause to celebrate. I hear laughter in the days I spend with you. And into the night, you instruct me with wisdom. The praise of Jesus pours from your lips. A sweet song of adoration fills my ears.
I know my commitment has been pulled in every direction except toward you. To School, to Job, to Fun. Though we see each other once a week, I want to be with you constantly. How can a relationship thrive if I am only interested in your life for a few hours? I want to be beside you more in fellowship, serve together with you in the community. I want to be an encouragement to you. I want to invest in you, and in our life together.
And I know you are fearsome in your anger, at the injustice in the world. You will fight and not back down. And because of this, you have become a target of so many attacks, so much evil. The world is against you, so let me protect you. For the Groom has entrusted you into my care. Let us maintain loving, patient excitement for the return of our true mates.
I’m falling for you, powerfully…painfully. I’m enraptured by the way you think, smitten with how you move. I become excited every time I am about to see you. You make me feel like I’ve never felt before in my life…a true knight of the Lord.
I will be sending that Valentine to the Bride several times today through different people/places. Like here, for example!
Oddly enough, the meeting tonight will be mainly men. A bunch of the single ladies are dressing up and having a big group date, a ladies’ night out. I am actually pleased they will not be there. I do not want to be seen as ‘the new guy who is trying to be overly romantically impressive to the women.’ Plus, I think the views I will share are more relevant to the guys anyway.
Arjayen
I was pleased V-Day fell on a Thursday this year. It meant I COULD romance…because my Bible study group meets on Thursdays.
So what could I do…well, flowers are out. Not enough funds. Hmm...hehe, what bride would pass up chocolate on this day? I remembered a unique treat at Wal-Mart. A THREE pound chocolate Heresy’s heart. So I went to purchase the hunk of sugar. I walked in, found it, but did not want to carry it around while I ran other errands in the store. Came back…and it was gone. ALL of them were gone. Walgreen’s…gone. Scott’s…GONE. I sat in my car, actually hurt and frustrated.
Me: God, I do not understand. I wanted to do this for the group. Why is this happening?
God: What would a bride want? True, that heart is both unique and rare (only being available this time of year), but what would she truly want? Something you ran to the store to buy…or a favorite dessert you spent time and effort making yourself?
Me: …You want me to make scotcharoos (my favorite treat outside of raw cookie dough) for the group.
God: If you want to romance the Bride, you will do it properly.
Me: Teaching about love every chance you get, eh?
God: I am preparing you for the future. *wink*
Came home, and started my next idea: a valentine. Now, I cannot write poetry well. It comes from the resentment of being bound by rhyme, meter, diction, etc. I want to just WRITE, and not follow rules. So a love poem was out…but a heartfelt letter was just my style. [Note: in the letter I am not trying to replace Jesus with the church. I was reflecting on its status as the forerunner of God’s kingdom, and my new appreciation for it.]
A Valentine letter to the Bride,
We have known each other for so long, but I am just now learning what love is, and what love requires. I treasure this new dimension in our relationship.
I adore your loving acceptance of all people. You stop to speak with anyone from all walks of life. You welcome the young and old into your home. You have friends all over the world, and that number continues to expand.
You are prepared to serve at any moment, at any time. The money and resources you receive you gladly give away to those in need. You only keep what you need for yourself. Through your tender actions you inspire hope wherever you are.
You always have a cause to celebrate. I hear laughter in the days I spend with you. And into the night, you instruct me with wisdom. The praise of Jesus pours from your lips. A sweet song of adoration fills my ears.
I know my commitment has been pulled in every direction except toward you. To School, to Job, to Fun. Though we see each other once a week, I want to be with you constantly. How can a relationship thrive if I am only interested in your life for a few hours? I want to be beside you more in fellowship, serve together with you in the community. I want to be an encouragement to you. I want to invest in you, and in our life together.
And I know you are fearsome in your anger, at the injustice in the world. You will fight and not back down. And because of this, you have become a target of so many attacks, so much evil. The world is against you, so let me protect you. For the Groom has entrusted you into my care. Let us maintain loving, patient excitement for the return of our true mates.
I’m falling for you, powerfully…painfully. I’m enraptured by the way you think, smitten with how you move. I become excited every time I am about to see you. You make me feel like I’ve never felt before in my life…a true knight of the Lord.
I will be sending that Valentine to the Bride several times today through different people/places. Like here, for example!
Oddly enough, the meeting tonight will be mainly men. A bunch of the single ladies are dressing up and having a big group date, a ladies’ night out. I am actually pleased they will not be there. I do not want to be seen as ‘the new guy who is trying to be overly romantically impressive to the women.’ Plus, I think the views I will share are more relevant to the guys anyway.
Arjayen