As an educator of 30 years, I have seen hundreds of examples of the sweet flutter of young love: hand-holding, passed love notes, roses, proms and "going steady." Unfortunately, most of these puppy loves became jaded, heartbroken disillusionments by the end of their high school experience. Yet these young lovers (like we older but wiser ones) remain, to some degree, hopeless romantics continuing to search for that perfect, endless love!
Upon first glance, it would seem that my family heritage is indeed a "happily ever after" love story. I have never experienced the heartbreak of divorce. Instead, I have been a part of the celebration of my grandparents 65th wedding anniversary, my parents 60th, my sister's 40th and my own 34th year of marriage thus far. I would love to say that romance has always been alive and well because my family knows the secret to a long, beautiful, blissful union.
Instead, I join the ranks of those who know we have to learn the art of compromise, work out our differences, bite our tongues and learn to forgive. What I came to realize, through the years, is that unconditional love is only learned, modeled and applied through the One who is the author of love. For God so loved the world He sent His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.
When I was asked to be the opening keynote speaker for the International Women's Conference at the Crystal Cathedral, they assigned the topic of "Extravagant Love." I knew there would be women from all over the world, from diverse backgrounds and cultures and at various stages in their lives. But I also knew most of us had one thing in common: We all want to love and be loved. As I reflected on the first unconditional love most of us experience, our mother's love, my words seemed to flow in poetic form, as I reminisced about the flow of love, romance and marriage in my own life, and I how I came to know the perfect love that casts out all fear!
Created for Love
At three, our world of dreams
was filled with endless days of
fun, Childhood
carefree hours
of Mama's love.
At five ,she kissed the tears away and tucked us into bed,
With "Now I lay me" sent to God above.
At 10, our best friends shared their love, secrets filled our world,
Girl-talk, overnights, the softball team;
Then teen years and the "boy chase," and high school was
our life;
Then suddenly... the world of shattered dreams.
As innocence gave way to fear, and trust gave way to doubt,
Mama couldn't kiss
the tears away.
Heartbreak of that first love
lost, betrayal by a friend,
No words were even there
at times to pray.
College, marriage, children,
work, we did as we were told;
We fit the mold and played
the great charade.
So busy, so productive, yet
with emptiness of soul,
'Twas time to stop the
endless masquerade.
Retrieving those forgotten
dreams, now ready to receive,
The love that even
Mama couldn't give.
Those childhood prayers returned once more, "Lord take this empty
life, and
teach my barren
soul to truly live!"
As promised, He was faithful
and reminded me once more,
His gift of grace was
absolutely free.
Extravagant love beyond compare, His mercy undeserved,
It all was bought
and paid at Calvary.
Yes, Mama taught me how to dream and taught me how to pray,
The world just taught me sin
and shame and strife;
But I received through faith in God, pure Love so undeserved,
Achieving as He said,
abundant life!
So cast your cares, with childlike faith, fling caution to the wind;
Keep your focus on
the Lord above,
The same today as yesterday, forever and beyond -
His eternal, extravagant Love!
Dr. Debra Peppers is an author, speaker and host of a radio and television program. Her afternoon talk show, "Talk From the Heart," can be heard Monday through Friday from 3 - 5 p.m. on KJSL, AM 630. Visit Dr. Peppers' website at:
www.pepperseed.org or www.saltandlightministry.com.