Happy Valentine's Day!

This is for my love...   

I am going out on a limb and risking cheesiness by quoting song lyrics, but I have been listening to this song a lot lately and I believe the Lord has been speaking to me through it and I wanted to share it.  First, the song, 'Lead Me' by Sanctus Real, then some thoughts....

I look around and see my wonderful life

Almost perfect from the outside

In picture frames I see my beautiful wife

Always smiling

But on the inside, I can hear her saying...

“Lead me with strong hands

Stand up when I can't

Don't leave me hungry for love

Chasing dreams, what about us?

Show me you're willing to fight

That I'm still the love of your life

I know we call this our home

But I still feel alone”

I see their faces, look in their innocent eyes

They're just children from the outside

I'm working hard, I tell myself they'll be fine

They're independent

But on the inside, I can hear them saying...

“Lead me with strong hands

Stand up when I can't

Don't leave me hungry for love

Chasing dreams, but what about us?

Show me you're willing to fight

That I'm still the love of your life

I know we call this our home

But I still feel alone”

So Father, give me the strength

To be everything I'm called to be

Oh, Father, show me the way

To lead them

Won't You lead me?

To lead them with strong hands

To stand up when they can't

Don't want to leave them hungry for love,

Chasing things that I could give up

I'll show them I'm willing to fight

And give them the best of my life

So we can call this our home

Lead me, 'cause I can't do this alone

Father, lead me, 'cause I can't do this alone

We've had a rough couple of years at the Davidson home.  Lots of trials, some we've seen good fruit from walking through, others I am sure bearing good fruit that remains unseen, and some that due to our fallen state, have borne bad fruit... especially in my life.  I have long felt this awareness that I am not loving my wife as Christ loves the Church.  This song begins with what it looks like on the outside - like we have it together.  We lead a care group, we are faithful to our church, we have walked through major trial and not been torn apart... yet on the inside I have not accurately or effectively shown, as it says that Amy 'is still the love of my life'.

Then there are the boys.  We have amazing boys.  Again on the outside seemingly almost perfect... Yet, there is so much more I want for them. And I know Amy feels that way also.  It is my calling from God to lead them, giving them (and Amy) the best of my life.  There's been so much that I've let creep in between what my desire is to what I am walking out.

And I think the best part of this song, is the final verse & final line - the prayer to our Father for his help.  The cry for strength to 'be all the I'm called to be.'  Why is this the best part?  Because God is faithful.  He never calls us to task that he does not supply the grace to fulfill.  

Amy - As I've been meditating on these lyrics and the call of Ephesians 5, it has been kindling in my heart an even greater love that I have for you.  I want to lead our family by serving by the strength that God provides (1 Peter 4:11).  And as it says, "...so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen."  

Additionally I want you, Boo, to know my love not only through words, but through deeds.  I wanted to take this opportunity of Valentine's Day to publicly declare my love for you, and commitment to love you more like Jesus loves His Church.

Happy Valentine's Day.

-B