(If you’re following along in the book, we’re on chapter 10. You can always divide the day of the month in half to find out which chapter we’re on. )
I’d like to talk about love.
Not just any love—agape love. It’s the greatest virtue one can possess because it reflects the love of God that reached down to us while we were yet sinners. Jesus died for the undeserving. He gave up His life so that we could have life.
Even after He was whipped and crucified and nailed to the cross He cried out, “Father forgive them for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34)
1 Corinthians Chapter 13 tells us that love bears all things. Some translate that as patience, but what it really means is, to be patient in bearing the offenses and injuries of others. (Strong’s G3114)
Now don’t get me wrong. I’m not encouraging anyone to be a punching bag. That kind of behavior is dangerous and should be reported immediately.
When I read that scripture I’m reminded to offer grace to my husband on the days he gets under my skin. I’m encouraged to be patient with him when I’m frustrated. I’m resolved to forgive him as God forgave me.
Growing up, I witnessed two men that exemplified this kind of love. One was my dad who loved Mom with patience and grace. And of course there was also Nel’s Oleson.
With popcorn in hand, I sit down to watch season nine – episode 21. I’m reminded of this gentle man who came into our home week after week, illustrating the virtue of love.
Willie wants to get married, but he knows that his mother won’t take it well, so he keeps it a secret from them. Purposely failing his college entrance exam he sets off his mother. In true Harriet form, she explodes into a hissy fit, stomping her feet and wailing out loud, until finally he announces his plans to work at the restaurant and marry Rachel Brown.
Self-centered Harriet weeps as Nel’s leaves the room to encourage his son. First he gently scolds Willie for not handling the situation honestly, and then congratulates him with these words, “You’ve got to live your own life, not your mother’s, or mine.”
For the next 30 minutes of show time, Harriet is miserable and she wants everyone to know it. Meanwhile her husband holds his tongue. He doesn’t snap back.
The wedding day comes. Harriet is under the covers pouting, still hoping to control the situation that’s slipped out of her grasp. She’s angry, controlling, insensitive, and rude.
Pleading with her, Nels is gentle and kind. “Please, please just get dressed and come with me to the wedding,” he says.
She’ll have no part of it, and so she continues to dig her heels in, refusing to go.
She does eventually appear at the wedding to mourn. Dressed in black she’s weeping at the back of the church. After nine seasons, we’ve come to expect this of her.
I love the way the writer wrapped everything up in the end. It’s brilliant and emotional, in a way we wouldn’t expect. In fact after watching it again, I think it just might be my favorite episode of all time. Even more so than “Sweet Sixteen.”
Wedding music is playing in the background. Nels enters the room to find his wife in the parlour with her hair down, she’s wiping her tears.
“It brings back memories, doesn’t it?” he says. “My mother didn’t want us to get married. She said it would ruin my life. Well, she was wrong.”
Harriet listens intently, while his grace softens her heart, “Marrying you is the smartest thing I ever did,” he said.
Turning to face him she asks, “Do you mean that?”
Finally, holding her head in his hands, he looks into her eyes, “If I had it to do over again, I wouldn’t change a thing… May I have this dance?”
That right there is agape love.
It’s a fictional story I’m sure, but the principles are true to my life. I’d love to throw stones, but dropping them to the ground, I’m reminded of the countless times I’ve stood in her shoes: self-centered, impatient, angry, grumpy, and down-right hard to live with. Over and over again I’m served that same agape love that keeps us together. And you know what? My heart softens by the way that he loves.
In the same way, there are days when I don’t feel like being patient and kind, but I do it because I know it’s God’s will for our marriage. I love this man, and the best way to soften Michael’s heart is by the way that I love.
We’re not all blessed with a Nels in our life. I know that. But we are blessed by a God Who loved us before we loved Him.
“Please, please come with me to the wedding,” He says.
And that right there is agape love.
Amen.
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You are loved by an almighty God,
Darlene Schacht
The Time-Warp Wife
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I fight really hard to love that way with my marriage and children. I’m convicted over and over again by Christ’s unconditional love for me as i sometimes struggle to hold my tongue and emotions in check. I’m grateful for the mercy of my Savior because, quite frankly, I blow it more than I get it right.
Thank you for the reminder of what love should, and can, look like.
You’re welcome Charice. Keep looking forward.
EEEEEEK! Today hurt a bit. No, today hurt ALOT! I have lived by I Corinthians 13 most of my life. It is what allowed me to offer grace to my husband even when I didn’t want to. But this weekend was different. Despite having planned an loving, relaxing weekend, my hubby’s plans went awry at every turn. My disappointment and distress was made worse by an entire weekend of triggers. Needless to say by Sunday afternoon I snapped, crying and screaming in frustration. Later that evening, after things calmed down, one more thing happened and my husband tossed his phone down in frustration, stating, “Just let me know when I finally do something right…”
It was at that moment that I realized what my pain had done to the weekend. Rich has been so good about accepting the blame for his affair and shouldering the burden of our current circumstances, and I have tried to make sure he has been loved and built up as much as possible. But this weekend I failed miserably. In that moment, I reached over and pulled his head into my lap and apologized, letting him know how very much he is loved and how right he is so much of the time. The weekend lapses weren’t his fault so much as they were my perception of things.
Since we are participating in this together, I forwarded the email to him so he could read before he calls me at break. I anticipate some more apologizing and a little groveling. My husband has learned to love me unconditionally and this weekend, HE was Nels Oleson.
Thanks Darlene for the reminder. It WILL be going into my study tomorrow and Thursday!
Linda, we all have tough weekends like that. The awesome thing is that it’s yesterday and it can be left in the past. I love how you pulled him close and showed love. You’re both healing, but the cool thing is that you’re healing together.
And that is what I love about you! For the first time in a long time I don’t feel alone.
I’m happy to hear that.