Loving One Another

There’s a story about a young dating couple who went camping together one cold fall night. When they went to bed that night, she was sleeping on a cot and he was on the floor in a sleeping bag. Just after they turn out the lantern, the girlfriend leans over and says, “Honey, it sure is cold in here.” The young man gets up in the freezing cold, runs out to the car and gets her an extra blanket. Just as soon as he gets back in his sleeping bag, the girl leans over and says, “I’m sorry, I’m still cold.” So, the guy gets up in the freezing cold once again and runs back out to the car. He grabs another blanket, throws it on her, and jumps back under his covers. Once again for a third time, the girl whispers, “I just can’t get warm, honey.” So, the young man leans over and asks, “Hey, do you want to pretend like we’re married? Just tonight. We’re way out here in the middle of nowhere and no one will ever know.” The girl thinks about it, then says, “Sure, just tonight.” So, the boy responds, “Okay then, get up and get your dang blanket!”

Isn’t that the way it is sometimes? We get so familiar with each other, with people we love, that we take them for granted. And we forget…. We forget how important they are to us. We forget they may not be with us forever.

Today, I pray that you would treat those closest to you with the up most love and respect. Tell them how you feel. Show them, with your actions how much they really mean to you. Remember: Life is short, and there are no guarantees.

Let us pray: O God of Hope, we thank you for the people in our lives who are closest to us – perhaps a child, a spouse, a parent or a friend. What a gift you have given us! Today we pray especially for them, and we lift them up to your care. Help us to cherish them, and to see your love in them. May we never take them for granted, but instead may we appreciate each moment with them – even the difficult moments. Through Jesus Christ. Amen.