Amy is a friend of mine in real life, so this post today is extra special. She is one of those beautiful, genuine girls who you hope to be even a little bit like. She has three adorable little ones and lives with them and her carpenter husband just two minutes from my house. Trust me, you want to know Amy. Her blog is just the right mix of honest, deep, fun, and house-y. Visit her at Playing Sublimely and you’ll see just what I mean. But first, listen as she tells her story . . .
Love. I’ve always thought it to be fictitious, something to be found inside the pages of an old book with tattered corners. Or maybe something that flows through the notes of a great symphony and falls only on the ears of pretenders. Perhaps love was nothing more than a movie, a scene, a story, an idea for actors to portray. Deep, true love had always felt just beyond the reach of my fingertips, and for so long I pretended to accept it’s intangible existence.
I longed for a love story, yet grieved it’s absence like only a true prodigal daughter could.
I’m uncertain of the exact stage of life that my longing for love began, but I think it may fall somewhere between Robin Hood telling Maid Marian he would die for her, and Mr. Darcy’s profession of love to Ms. Elizabeth in Pride and Prejudice. For years it masked itself behind false interpretations: she’s just boy crazy. It showed itself in less than desirable ways, and always left my heart longing for something deeper, something truer, or at least just something less false.
And so there were regrets, and tears, and heartache. And then for awhile, there was nothing. Just numbness. Numbness to everything and everyone because that was less painful (but not really). And then came my declaration of independence. If I couldn’t have more of what my heart longed for, then I would “gladly” seek less. So for awhile, I dwelled in the world of less, and I sank.
Then, one day in the midst of this pit of sand, I met a Man. He didn’t seem shaken by the numbness or the brokenness, and He didn’t shy away from my bruised heart. He whispered things about my loveliness in a way that no one had ever spoken of me, in a way that made me think He meant it. He didn’t speak of my shortcomings (though I reminded Him of them daily), He didn’t dwell on my past, but instead spoke of a promise for the future. I didn’t believe Him for the longest time, sometimes I still don’t believe Him entirely. But still, He pursued me. He even fought for me. Because there were days when I knew that there was a battle raging in me. A battle between Truth and the Liar.
The Liar had always thought he had won in the past, he even assummed I was his bride. All until the proposal. All until the Groom got down on his knee…or more specifically, spread wide his arms and laid down on a cross. The heavens fell silent in awe of the horror, the sacrifice, the love. It was finished. The battle was done, the proposal was made, and there Love stood victorious outside a tomb.
As it turns out, there was nothing fictitious about Love after all. Love is real, Love is alive, and Love got down on one knee before me. And when The Groom asked for my hand in marriage, I said yes. I said yes because He showed me I was not meant for a world of less, a world where the ground was sinking. He showed me I was actually created for so much more. I was created for Him, to give Him glory, to be His bride, and that He had come to lay his life down for me. And for you.
I never knew why I so loved a love story until I met Jesus. I was created and placed on this earth to worship the one who adores me. What a love story, complete with a Savior on a white horse, and a bride in a clean, white dress.
“Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and the bride has made herself ready. Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear.”
Revelation 19:7-8
There is enduring romance in the truth that the Son has asked the Father for your hand in marriage. The King is down on one knee holding a ring that will never end. He has made His proposal. He has prepared a white dress for you, and you have been invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb. He patiently awaits your response, and longs to hear you say I do.
Amy, what a truth filled post about the gospel. Thank you for reminding me of The Father’s love for me this morning!
Beth´s last [type] ..Office
Simply beautiful.
stacey´s last [type] ..What I Had Planned
if i ever live in NC, i wanna live two minutes from both of you. :}
Amy, we’ve got similar stories, and you write so much of what my heart says and feels.
Emily, thanks for letting Amy share on your blog…what a treat!
i just love that you two are friends in real life.
This is a true love story with a happy ending. What a lovely gentle reminder of everlasting love.
Jo
Jo´s last [type] ..We are NOT friends
I really needed this today. This was honestly God speaking right to me. Thanks Emily &Amy.
Katie´s last [type] ..Change
just BEAUTIFUL amy!!!
just beautiful
& how fun for both of you…dind’t realize ya’ll were neighbors!
Oh my goodness this made me cry!!! Thank you for this! Indeed it is the most perfect love story….
Amy…I soooo needed to hear this and I just thank God for Him leading me to see what was up on your blog…which then led me to Emily’s blog…and finally found what my heart needed today! I sooo wish I knew my “bloggy” friends in real life and lived just minutes away!
Oh how wonderful and how true!!!!! God is our most amazing lover through every trial, pain, fear, joy, happiness, everydayness. Thank you for sharing such a beautiful reminder of Jesus’ most pure true love!!!
Mary Joy @Seeds of Encouragement Sewn with Grace´s last [type] ..Week 4 Hebrews 10-24 Challenge-A Spirit of Grace or a Spirit of Complaining
Simply beautiful.
I somehow came across Playing Sublimely last week and loved it, so it was very neat to see Amy guest post on another site I love to read, and not only that, but to see you are good friends and neighbors! Very neat!
Brittany´s last [type] ..Project Life Tuesday- July 25-31
there is no romance like the divine romance of our Savior pursuing His Bride.
so tender and beautiful.
Melissa | Madabella: made beautiful´s last [type] ..Strength
That was beautiful. It brought chills and tears to my eyes. Thanks for your beautiful thoughts.
Kim´s last [type] ..Writing a note
Oh, Amy! What a beautiful portrait you paint of the Love Story that is like no other! It is so good to be wanted!
LOVED this!
Kristen-Moms Sharpening Moms´s last [type] ..Parental Paradise
Beautiful! Thanks so much for sharing.
Mrs. Sojourner´s last [type] ..14 Months
Oh, how He loves you and me …. so beautiful.
Dayle´s last [type] .. Postcards From The Road 30th Anniversary Tour- Second Installment
Beautiful!
Mama Zen´s last [type] ..Review- Through The Triangle
Beautiful.
Amy, this is just beautiful in so many ways. I love how you are able to see your own love story’s reflection in the ultimate love story…and vice versa. And I’m so glad you found love and that love pursued and found you. One of my favorite books is The Jesus Storybook Bible because it teaches children (and the mamas who read it to them) that there really was “a brave Prince who leaves his palace, his throne–everything–to rescue the ones he loves. It’s like the most wonderful of fairy tales that has come true in real life.”
Thank you for sharing your story with us and for your well-put words. And I agree with Emily that your blog is such a fun mix of honest, deep, housey goodness. {I’ve decided I need to move to G so we can all be friends. I used to live there many moons ago.}
I LOVE this! I gave it to my 17 year old daughter to read. I will copy it and file it to share with young women I work with. Thank you for so eloquently saying what so many women need to hear.
Thanks for this Amy…encouraging. Hope. So beautifully written from a heart that knows Him. Thank you.
Vonda´s last [type] ..His Birthday