My Favorite Bible Verses

Photo by Erik Mclean on Unsplash

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

(1 Corinthians 13:4-7 NIV)

When we moved into our first home together, I soon learned that men deal with moves far differently than women. I wanted to label every box with its contents and its level of fragility, as well as what room the box should be placed. However, Steve approached problem-solving from a spatial perspective. He wanted to load the van according to size and dimension. He begrudgingly acquiesced to my tedious plan, and with each box loaded, said, “It’s a good thing I love you.”

Within a few years, Steve’s new job required another move. New community, new church, new schools, and for me, a new job of my own. However, our rented place wasn’t ready as expected, and we spent the first few weeks at a co-worker's home. “At least we’re together,” I said. Logistics took a back seat to what was important.

Within a few months, we purchased a home in a nearby town. New school and new church, but we soon became entrenched in our adopted community. Eight years later, employment changes required another move to another community. Though we found a perfect house for us, we couldn’t take possession of the home for two months. Our oldest son had left for college. Steve stayed with his mother, and our two younger children stayed with my parents, leaving me to remain in our old home alone.

Love is harder when everyone is scattered. I thought these few months would be the worst test. “It’s a good thing I love you,” I said. By the time our family was reunited, I didn’t care how I moved. We enjoyed our time in Malone, New York, for over twenty years. We saw many changes as the kids spread their wings and moved out.

Then came retirement and a move to a warmer climate, but the transition would require a separation of eighteen months. “It’s a good thing I love you,” we both said. Though we spoke every day and hubs made frequent trips, I was never happier when we were together again. I didn’t care how he moved. “Just get here.” I was ecstatic when Steve pulled into our driveway with the last load from New York.

A month later, I received the diagnosis of breast cancer. “Welcome to retirement,” I said. To which he responded, “It’s a good thing I love you.”

At this writing, we faced yet one more move to be nearer our children.

The years of transitions have taught us that it is not the how. It is that we are together. And through all of life’s ups and downs, we still say, “It’s a good thing I love you.”