Me: What a nice birthday balloon!
Prodigal: Yes, and I wanted to share a message with that balloon.
This is from the book The Meaning of Marriage by Timothy Keller
There is an emotional “high” that comes to us when someone thinks we are so wonderful and beautiful, and that is part of what fuels the early passion and electricity of falling in love. But the problem is–and you may be semi consciously aware of this–the person doesn’t really know you and therefore doesn’t really love you, not yet at least. What you think of as being head over heels in love is in large part a gust of ego gratification, but it’s nothing like the profound satisfaction of being known and loved.
When over the years someone has seen you at your worst, and knows you with all your strengths and flaws, yet commits him–or herself to you wholly, it is a consummate experience. To be loved but not known is comforting but superficial. To be known and not loved is our greatest fear. But to be fully known and truly loved is, well a lot like being loved by God. It is what we need more than anything. It liberates us from pretense, humbles us out of our self-righteousness, and fortifies us for any difficulty life can throw at us.
You are known and loved, I know you make mistakes, but their is grace and I am so blessed that you show me the real you! May you enjoy this day and be encouraged.
1 Corinthians 13:7
Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
Jennifer Van Allen
www.theprodigalpig.com
www.faithincounseling.org
