Monday, October 21, 2002
Monday, October 21, 2002
I will heal their disloyalty; I will love them freely, for my anger has turned from
them.
Thankful that his bride was still alive, Moore rushed
upstairs, heedless of his wife's request. He burst into her room
and started to light the lamps. His wife cried out in surprise
and begged him not to. "Go!" she pleaded. "Please go! This is
the greatest gift I can give you now."
Moore reluctantly left the room and went down to his study
where he sat down to write. From his mind and pen came the
lyrics and melody of a song that is still heard today. The next
morning he mounted the stairs and entered his wife's room. "Are
you awake?" he asked.
"I am," she replied softly. "But you must not ask to see
me. You must not press me, Thomas."
"I will sing to you, then," he said, and began his song.
Believe me, if all those endearing young charms,
which I gaze on so fondly today,
Were to change by tomorrow and flee from my arms,
like fairy gifts fading away,
Thou wouldst still be adored, as this moment thou art.
Let thy loveliness fade as it will,
and round the dear ruin each wish of my heart
Would entwine itself verdantly still.
As he finished the song there was a brief pause, and then
Moore heard his wife get out of bed. Slowly she crossed the room
to the window and opened the shutters.
Don't you imagine his wife had more love in her heart than
she had ever had before? Don't you imagine that love could easily
overflow to others? That is the kind of love God calls us to.
(Hosea 14.4
NRSV)
Maxie Dunnam tells a beautiful story about Thomas Moore, the
nineteenth-century Irish poet. Moore was married to a beautiful
young woman to whom he was totally devoted. Shortly after they
were married, Moore was called away on business that lasted some
time. When he returned home, he found the doctor waiting on the
doorstep with terrible news. His beautiful wife had contracted
smallpox and the disease had left her scarred and ugly. She had
commanded that the shutters be drawn and that her husband never
be allowed to see her again.
Dear Jesus, fill me with your love and help me to freely give it away. Amen.
 Click here to Vote for this site! |
 Click here to Subscribe! |
|---|