Love planted deeply

"Love planted deeply becomes what it ought to be." Audrey Assad - Ought to Be
I have tried to spend pretty much my whole life falling deeper in love with our amazing God.  Obviously there have been many struggles, but God has planted deep within me His overflowing love.  I have kept myself more in tune this Lent with how God may be revealing His love to me in everyday life.  As April was approaching I remembered that my parent's 25th Anniversary was coming up on the 12th.  So, this past week I have been remembering incredible acts of love and service shown by both of my parents to my family, friends, and even strangers.  I believe that their love, planted so deeply, is what love ought to be.  I feel silly because I often pray for good role models in young couples, and what I really needed to do was recognize more fully the amazing example of love God has set before me.  Now, I know that my parents have fought before of course.  (If there is no disagreement and working through of differences in a relationship, I don't think that it is truly real.)  But, love has truly ruled in our household for as far back as I can remember. 

I can remember quite a few times that my Dad has come home from work a little bit late because he saw a lady on the side of the road with a flat tire and stopped to change it for her.  He never accepts money when he does this, he always just tells the lady that he hopes if his wife or daughters were stuck in any similar situation, somebody would be kind enough to help.  One time, my Dad was driving on the interstate and watched a huge accident take place right in front of his eyes between an SUV and a tractor trailer.  The SUV was on fire and rolled over many times into a ditch.  My Dad stopped on the side of the road and ran down to the car.  The Mom and two daughters were from out of town and the Mom died immediately.  But my Dad waited with the car and reassured the one conscious daughter until the rescue team was able to get there.  I also remember one Christmas when my Dad got my Mom this beautiful cross necklace.  He was so excited about it that he showed it to me before he gave it to her and swore me to secrecy.  In that moment of his happiness of giving a gift to my Mom, I could see how deeply he loved her.


I remember being in D.C. in the summer with my Mom and siblings for a day trip and my Mom would always offer a piece of fruit or some type of food we had brought for a picnic to a homeless person.  She has never turned a blind eye to people who many of us frequently ignore.  My Mom is also a piano teacher.  One of her students was preparing for Confirmation and asked my Mom to be her sponsor.  This was not a family we were super close to, but the young girl and her parents saw my Mom's love for her faith and deep spiritual life.  They chose my Mom to sponsor a big moment in their daughter's faith life.  When I heard about this, I was so encouraged and uplifted that my Mom's actions of love could speak so loudly.  A few years ago, my Dad had a medical emergency that turned his world upside down.  While my Dad was in the hospital, my Mom never left his side unless she was forced to by the Doctors.  When we visited we brought her fresh clothes so she could at least change.  One day we got there we heard that my Mom had been given permission by the nurses   to bathe my Dad.  I am still amazed by this incredible act of love by my Mom.  She continued to take care of my Dad every day after he left the hospital, but I will never forget the tangible joy surrounding my Mom when she was able to help him at the hospital.  


The servant love that my parents' hearts are filled with is something I aspire to.  I know I can continue to learn from their amazing example of love and I am thankful to call them my parents.
"Love given freely becomes what it ought to be." Audrey Assad - Ought to Be


You don't have to look far and wide for acts of pure love, they are happening all around you.  Open your eyes.