Crazy Love and Mixed Tapes

Oh, the romance of a mixed tape. Way back before, Spotify, iPhone, and even CD’s, there was a thing called a cassette tape, and with the proper equipment, you could record your favorite songs to make a customized mix. It was the first gift my husband gave me when we were dating. I resided a couple states away at college and played that tape over and over until I knew every word of every song. It gave me insight into his tastes and choices, and even though were we separated by distance, it made me feel like he was near.I enjoy watching couples newly in love. I’ll never forget going on a group date with a bunch of couples, one of which had just started dating. All the others were a few years into their marriages, so the wives spoke to the other wives, and the husbands spoke to the other husbands. But not the dating couple. They only spoke to each other. In their smitten bliss, the rest of the room was completely forgotten.When we’re in love, we do the craziest things. King Nebuchadnezzar supposedly built the Hanging Gardens of Babylon (one of the seven ancient wonders of the world) to help ease his wife’s homesickness. Mughal emperor Shah Jahan almost bankrupted his country to build the Taj Mahal to honor his deceased wife. King Edward VIII abdicated his throne to marry his love.My husband used to drive six hours to see me at school and then drive six hours back. On my summer breaks, I’d sacrifice my precious days off between waitressing and interning, to paint with him. He paid his way through college by running his own painting company, so every day during summer break he’d be up on a ladder painting. Because I wanted to be around him, I’d don my painting clothes, grab a brush, and climb up a ladder next to him. (As it turns out, painting is a very helpful life skill to know.)Sometimes we forget that God holds an even greater, more passionate love for us. He made us in His image. He longs to be near us and is jealous for our attention. God doesn’t merely carve our initials with a heart into the trunk of a tree. It says in Isaiah 49, that He has carved our names into the palms of His hands.God stands at the door and knocks. (I sometimes picture Him in a tux and holding flowers.) He’s eagerly waiting for us to answer, so he can come in and be with us. He wants to spend time with us. He wants us to know Him intimately. He is beyond patient with us not wanting anyone to perish (2 Peter 3:9). He goes to great lengths including the ultimate sacrifice of dying on a cross to defeat death so that we won’t be separated from him.He just wants to be with you, no matter where you are, how you look, or what condition you are in. He’s knocking at your door, waiting for you to invite him in.Don't miss a post! Sign up for my e-newsletter by clicking here: Lorri's Newsletter