(Read previous post first)To the world a romantic picture is a couple, young and in love, and in some cases, plastered together in a passionate embrace.
Although possibly more ascetically appealing to some, it is not a picture of romance to me.
A picture of romance is a picture of two people who have spent a life time together and are still in love. A couple who has stood the test of time. Weathered the storms, shared the joy. Walked the journey of life together, for better and for worse.
And hasn't quit.
That is romance.
That is my grandparents.
For all their married life they have worked hard, loved hard and lived well.
They are an amazing example of what love should be. What it can be.
My grandfather has been a hard worker all his life.
He built the house they live in to this day with his own hands right after they were married. He has worked hard for everything they have.
He has provided for, loved, sacrificed and cared for his family and the people around him all his life.
He didn't quit.
Then he got sick.
And grandma, who had always worked hard herself, tending to her family, her home and a ragtag bunch of other people that filtered in and out her life, turned her attention to caring mostly for her husband.
She hasn't stopped.
Her care for the man who always cared for her is a task she stays about.
Most days it's hard. Most days she moves past the pain in her body and the weariness in her heart and loves by serving.
Such has been her life.
And still they love together, still they smile, still they laugh. Still they bring joy to all who come near.
Through the hard stuff, through the good stuff, through raising their family, through a lifetime of service to their family and their church and their God, they have loved.
Grandpa, do you know that everything you worked for, every sacrifice you made, every caring word and deed you have done (and there have been so many) is not just appreciated but remembered? If they aren't all remembered by the people whose lives you have touched (how can people remember so many special things done by one person?) they are most certainly remembered and recorded by our God?
Do you know that you are a hero? Better than any superhero to me.
Do you that you are the most special man I have ever met and I am blessed by the love and gentleness you have always shown me and your family?
Do you know how much you are respected by so many people because of the little and big things you did every day?
Grandma. Do you know that the work you have done all your life matters?
Do you know that the work you do now is not unnoticed?
The work you do now is great and meaningful and worth far more than you will ever know.
Press on, weary soul, it is not in vain.
Do you know that you are the joy of my heart? My friend, my prayer warrior, my highest goal of the woman I want to be? Do you know you are appreciated and loved beyond belief?
Do you know that your tender touches, your gentle guidence, your sacrifices and everything you do has always meant the world to me and has helped shape and define my life?
Both of you- Do you know that all you have done and all you do will be rewarded? There is a special crown in heaven for you for the life you've lived.
God sees all you've done. And it has all been for His glory.
Your lives and the love you have for each other and those around you IS the living example to me of 1 Corinthians 13. You do all with love.
And you are loved for it.
Thank you, God, for these special treasures, priceless jewels, in my life.
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