Let Me Count Three Ways...

I am doubly blessed in February. During this month I have an
opportunity to celebrate my love for my wife, Lise, twice. Once on
Valentine's Day and once on her birthday, February 26th.
Elizabeth Barrett Browning wrote a beautiful poem where she counted
the ways that she loved someone. In typical preacher fashion I will try to
summarize why I love my wife in three brief points:
1. I love her because she is loyal. If someone has Lise as a friend,
they have a friend for life and a friend they can trust with their
lives. Her loyalty as a disciple of Jesus, a wife, a friend is fierce
and unshakable.
Her loyalty is a reflection of her true beauty.
2. I love her because she is a woman's woman. Feminine,
complex, nurturing, all the great things that men love about
women, my wife possesses. However, she manages to fuse these
into a personality that is not defensive about being a devoted
homemaker.
While many others of her generation continue to seek
themselves or redefine their mystique, my wife rejoices in
Christian motherhood and the challenge of creating a happy
and peaceful home.
3. I love her because she is generous. Paul describes the spiritual
gift of "liberality" in Romans 12:8. Watching Lise has made me
understand that this gift is the ability to give effortlessly,
graciously, inventively, spontaneously as well as generously.
She has taught me what giving is and I love her for it.
Space, and not reasons, is why this article is limited to only three points.
I'll have to tell Lise about her honesty, humor, desirability, intelligence,
etc., when I see her in person. Until then, "Happy Valentine's Day" and
"Happy Birthday, sweetheart, ‘I love you.'"
Mike