We’ve been married for three years and I’ve learned a lot about his decision making process. If we're making a major purchase, he researches it for months. Big decisions are made after much prayer, thought and analysis. He's a careful person – careful to choose the right steps and careful to move at the right time. I now know Dave saying "I love you" held so much more meaning than three words could possibly convey.
Four years ago on Christmas day, he took me to a special place on his parent's land and he told me he loved me. Before he was certain I would reciprocate, he made the decision to not only love me, but to express his love. He encouraged me to receive it without feeling that I had to respond. He allowed me to take his love in without any conditions. He was sure of me and he wanted me to know it.
That moment was powerful for me. And, over time, that moment has become more than a sweet memory. It has become a strong foundation that I lean upon when life gets rough. It has become a simple but elevating equation to recalibrate my perspective:
knowing how Dave's brain operates + his decision to love me = an overwhelming gratefulness for his love
From this gratefulness, I find a deeper understanding of God's love. Just as Dave offered his love to me before I uttered a word of my love for him, God was sure of me before I ever even knew of Him.
Thankfully and unbelievably, God's sureness of me doesn’t change. He is sure of me now with all of my flaws and mistakes. He is sure of me tomorrow and all that it may bring.
1 John 4:10, 19
10 This is real love...that He loved us and sent His son as a sacrifice to take away our sins.19We love each other because He loved us first.
