The kingdom of heaven is
like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then
in his joy went and sold
all he had and bought
that field. Again, the kingdom of
heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he
had and bought it.
Matthew 13:44-46
The best date I’ve ever
been taken on was at the end of a crummy day. I mean a really crummy, caring
for my dad, seeing him in pain, yet helpless, could care less about anything
“normal” kind of day. My sister brought me home a new outfit from VonMaur,
helped me to get dolled, and my husband-to-be arrived with roses, one for each
month we’d been dating. He had the evening all planned out, and it was a
surprise. I love being surprised. It says all over it that someone took the
time to know me, what I love, and put forth the effort to make it happen. Well,
we showed up at a little studio where he had hired for a private swing dance
lesson for us. I’d always wanted to learn, and it felt magical in the cool
winter eve with the lights shining over the gleaming wooden floors,
music playing, while we danced, alone and oblivious to the rest of the world for that
space of time. He took me for a wonderful dinner out, and escorted me home in
time to spend a late evening with my family too. I have one little picture
tucked away of the night, but the memory is held dear in my heart for always.
Romance holds dear. Romance is worth the investment;
genuine love is always worth showing.
If it’s the ten minutes it takes for me to make my husband a lunch with a note
tucked inside, or pull out the trash from his truck, or kiss him when he walks
through the door, whatever-- Truly
loving is always worth the investment.
Jesus invested in the
lives around Him constantly during His ministry. Even when He was tired, or retreating,
…”He departed from there by boat to a deserted place by Himself. But when the
multitudes heard it, they followed Him…when Jesus went out He saw a great
multitude; and He was moved with compassion for them…” (Matthew 14.) His friend
had just been murdered-- perfect reason to want to be alone, to want to stop
investing in others. But He didn’t. Even on the worst days, He healed, invested
in the lives of perfect strangers. While dying on the cross, He invested,
saying: “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do."[Lk. 23:34]
and, "Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise."[Lk. 23:43]
Lord, may
I invest all that I am, all that I have in You. May I invest my heart, my life, in Your service. May I live to invest
in “things above.” Lord, may I invest in the hearts around me. May I invest in
raising my children, in guarding their hearts, invest in my marriage. For these gifts are a pearl of great price. Give me the wisdom to sell my
field, to look outward instead of inward; the grace to mostly look upward.
Romance is a delicate
garden, that if tended will grow and flourish, and if passed by will turn to
weed and thorn. Jesus lived with eyes wide open, knew how to invest. May I
strive for nothing less.
My love sonnet from Him
today—that to Him, I was worth the investment. I was worth dying for.
(Four little hearts I find worth investing in.)
"He also who had received two talents came and said, ‘Lord, you delivered
to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.’ 23 His lord said to him, ‘Well done,
good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I
will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord." Matthew 25.
Care to see where we've been on this 21 Days of Romance? (Seeking out romance in His word) You might like to see:
Day 10: Love is anything but stony. Love comes from hearts that are receptive, hearts that still feel.
Romancing your spouse as part of the challenge? Here are a few ways to invest in him:
Frame a picture of the two
of you, and display it as a reminder of the one you chose to invest in.
Invest in a date.
Invest in showing your
kids (if you’ve got them) the love you have for their daddy.
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