Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. Jude 1:21
When I (David) don't feel close to God, it's me who has moved. He's still right where I left Him. God's love is a firm commitment, but I choose whether to abide in its abundance or walk away from it. There have been times when I felt lost, as if God had abandoned me, but those feelings indicated my own separation from Him, not His attitude toward me.
There have been times when my love for the Lord was shaken because of my own sin and rebellion. The love of God and the mercy of the Lord have humbled me at those times. Just like the Prodigal Son, I've made my way back to the Lord—scared, uncertain, and ashamed. And just like the loving father of the prodigal, my heavenly Father has welcomed me back with open arms. When I returned to the love of the Father, it was there waiting for me—generously, abundantly, and without condition.
We suggest to couples that they return to their first love for one another. We ask them to spend time reflecting on when they first fell in love. We encourage them to think about the things that originally attracted them to one another and about the little ways they expressed their care and love. We have them think about the enjoyable ways they spent time together.
Returning to these ingredients of "first love" helps many couples renew perspective, gain hope, and move beyond past hurts as they are healed.
I've learned that as I keep remembering the love of God, I am better able to give the love of God. And as I remember the love I first had for Teresa, I am better able to fan the flames of love that have lasted for almost forty years.
Lord, stir us often with remembrances of our first love— for You and for one another.
