What Love Costs....

~ Tracy Frederick

The flowers are beautiful, the ring magnificent, the stuffed animal precious and the selfie sweet. Ahhhhh….love….. I remember rushing from class because I couldn’t wait to read the note he left in my car letting me know that he was thinking of me. He never forgot, or was too busy. Later, I promised to love him for the rest of my life. He, my love, promised to love me all the days of his. I realize now almost 30 years later that I really didn’t know what love was, not real love. I quickly learned that it was more than sweet notes and lunches at Long John Silvers.  It was deeper than that and demanded more of me than I ever knew. It meant sacrifice. It meant forsaking all others, faithfulness, support and demonstration of that love. We expect those that love us to show us their love, not just profess it. So, we judge his  behavior as proving his love for us because he brings us flowers, gifts, or takes us to special dinners on special days…all at a cost….and if he forgets and fails to pay that cost….or chooses to do something else, we doubt his love...aren’t  I right? We know that love is shown by how much one is willing to pay, to sacrifice for our love. It is what makes it…well…LOVE. 

God paid the cost with sacrificing his son because he loves. ( John 3:16)

Christ suffered because He loves…was tortured because He loves…was humiliated because He loves…was tortured because He loves…gave all that He had because He loves….gave up his home because He loves…and has always…always remained faithful  and steadfast in His love.

 Christ never hurt us….never caused us to cry….never laughed at us…has always defended us…because He loves.

The sacrifice and cost that God paid for our love is undeniable. But, what has me wondering lately is if we really love. I mean, if love comes at a cost, if it is the essence of sacrifice to show/prove our love, if we insist that of others, can we excuse ourselves when we are asked to do the same?

If we claim to love Him….but are unfaithful because it is too inconvenient ….is it really love? (Rev. 2:10, James 1:12)

If we profess our love for Him….but don’t want to stop “cheating” on Him with our habits that disgust Him…is it really love? (John 14: 12-17)

If we confess loudly our love for Him…but ignore it when asks us to forsake all others for Him…is it really love? (Lk 10:27)

So, what I have been pondering lately is: If we SAY we love…and refuse to PAY the cost….is it really love?

Those sweet little notes my love left for me are precious to me and are in a box in my closet. I take them out and read them from time to time and remember those days. But, I learned pretty quickly that it was more than sweet notes that meant he loves me…So, isn’t it time that we call it what it really is if we aren't willing to pay?...umm…like?....ummm---someone we use when we need something or want something? Let's see.....ok..Someone to pay our fine when we need bailed “out of jail?” ….but please let's be honest and not call it love If we aren’t willing to give…sacrifice…that’s not  real love and we know it don't we…how do I know?....I know love because God showed me what love costs when it cost Him everything.

The Sweetest Sound.

~Erin Blair

Today the music industry has permeated almost every aspect of our lives. You just look at the school scene and you see teenagers, and even young children, with ear buds in listening to their iPod or MP3 player. Some restaurants, stores and massage therapy rooms all have music playing to put you in a certain mood or mindset. It’s a simple concept because who of us hasn’t listened to the soothing sound of nature and become relaxed or listened to classical music in a nice restaurant and not felt more special? Sounds are all around us and affect us in numerous ways.

Recently during our song service during Sunday morning worship, I heard the sweetest sound that I have ever heard. The sound was coming from a few rows back where a young boy 7 years old was singing the songs alongside his father, mother and 2 year old little sister. Musically speaking, he was not singing very well; he was off-key, off-beat and singing maybe too loudly. But despite him being off-pitch, I couldn’t help but be uplifted as my heart melted at hearing this young boy sing songs about “how I long for the Paradise valley, where the beauty of heaven I’ll see” and “I need Thee every hour”. He couldn’t even read all the words, but he did have them memorized from hearing and singing them so often as he sat with his parents or with his grandfather on the front row as he lead singing. I can’t help but praise his parents for teaching him the importance of singing songs of praise to our Heavenly Father and participating in worship services. 

Even at such a tender, young age this boy knew that he must worship God in spirit and in truth (John 4:23). And by knowing such, he knew that singing praises with a sincere heart was essential (1 Corinthians 14:15). He knew that singing to God was a joyful act and he should be happy. After all, the Psalmist wrote, “Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name” (Psalm 100:4). 

When you ask someone what their favorite sound is they might give you a title of a song, an animal noise, running water, or perhaps a loved one’s voice. But as I sat there listening to this young boy singing songs of worship and praise to his Father, I couldn’t help a tear form in my eye as I found the sweetest sound: a child expressing, vocally, devotion to the Lord. Blessed be parents who raise such children!  

Erin resides in Ben Wheeler Tx with her husband. Erin has been involved with preparing and organizing the work of the church such as teaching all ages of Bibles classes, helped prepare and organize Ladies Days, Prom Alternatives, Youth Rallies and VBS.  She is currently the senior paralegal for a law firm. She and her husband also spend their time enjoying their three very large, but very sweet dogs.