It leaves behind loneliness, selfishness, impatience, conditions and IOUs...
...to pick up the support, comfort, company, encouragement, cheekiness and respect of a true love. Unconditional.
Have you ever seen love?
It's not as common as we think it is.
There was something so powerful about hearing a man tell your little (no longer!) sister that he will be at her side through it ALL and until the day that death do us part.
Because those words mean forever. They mean I am for you. They mean we are a team. They mean let's go! We are the Goughs now.
Below: Pastor Iliafi laughing with Naomi and David on the day
There were bursts of laughter in the midst of the ceremony as their pastor, Iliafi, cracked jokes about them each.
These shone light on the total joy they find together, their acceptance of each others failings and that they don't take themselves too seriously, such that they can accept support and change.
I read such a mint word recently:
"The definition of love goes much deeper than what entertains and excites us, and what makes us feel emotionally attached to each other. To love someone is to pursue their well-being and make it a priority." -from The Word for You (January edition).
We can say we love something or someone so easily each day, "I love [insert fun/impressive sport], I love [insert delicious food], I love [insert friend/boy-/girl-friend/family member], I love [insert celebrity], I love [insert tv series] etc. We can throw that word around like a frisbee.
Just type it in to comment on or react to someone's pic on facebook even if we would barely say Hi to them on the street.
But love isn't just a happy feeling or getting some benefit, to love truly is to give ourselves to help/build/support that person. Loving makes us float also, while we keep another afloat, lift them higher than ever before or just stop them from sinking out of their depth.
Love is action. Love is sacrifice. Love is life-changing. Love brings new things. Love starts adventures. And love makes another feel valued... loved! Love is awesome, but it's not easy.
This isn't just for romantic relationships- this is for friendships , family, crews and teams! Strengthen each other so you can all live how it is not possible to live like alone. (Sorry...I know we all wanna be big kids, or cool kids, or macho man, or super woman and do it solo...but nope, can't beat a team! Put the effort in and you, plus those around you that you "love" aka serve, will exceed so many limits!
Eccleciastes 4:12 "A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken"
The following pic is of me and my brother-in-law, David (Dave), the strong and too-hilarious-all-the-time man who made my heart hum as he promised so much to my sister as his wife in his vows.
Knowing that is so comforting. My big-sis protective instinct is comforted by knowing a cheeky, cool-kid, man of God is going to take care of Naomi for as long as his heart is still beating away on earth! :) :P
Above: The moment you realise you're now sisters-/brothers-in-law, haha, good times! Max-ing out our smiles- too much happiness to hold in. Chur brother-in-law Dave :) feat. Naomi (on the far left) looking embarassed by us, hehe, we were joking like drunks despite 0% blood alcohol levels present.
Above: Post wedding pics of the Goughs at their favourite spot other than the skate park- the beach with waves and a sunset!
As for the Goughs: Can't wait to see where they head together as the dream team, haha :P
God the great creator and journey maker will have an adventure & a half ahead for them... One He sorted for them to step into, way back when He dreamed each of us up! :)
Show some love once in a while. See what happens. I can't wait to see some new heights reached! :) :P
1 Corinthians 13: 4-6
"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres."