May 26, 2013: Catching Up.../ I'm in LOVE!!!

Song of Solomon 2:3-13

Amplified Bible (AMP)

3 Like an apple tree among the trees of the wood, so is my beloved [shepherd] among the sons [cried the girl]! Under his shadow I delighted to sit, and his fruit was sweet to my taste.

4 He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love [for love waved as a protecting and comforting banner over my head when I was near him].

5 Sustain me with raisins, refresh me with apples, for I am sick with love.

6 [I can feel] his left hand under my head and his right hand embraces me!

7 [He said] I charge you, O you daughters of Jerusalem, by the gazelles or by the hinds of the field [which are free to follow their own instincts] that you not try to stir up or awaken [my] love until it pleases.

8 [Vividly she pictured it] The voice of my beloved [shepherd]! Behold, he comes, leaping upon the mountains, bounding over the hills.

9 My beloved is like a gazelle or a young hart. Behold, he stands behind the wall of our house, he looks in through the windows, he glances through the lattice.

10 My beloved speaks and says to me, Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away.

11 For, behold, the winter is past; the rain is over and gone.

12 The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing [of birds] has come, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land.

13 The fig tree puts forth and ripens her green figs, and the vines are in blossom and give forth their fragrance. Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away.

I remember when I first became engaged to the Love of my life. I didn't want an engagement ring. Back then it wasn't "cool" to have one. (What was I thinking???) But I had a joyful secret in my heart. I was getting married to the most handsome, wonderful, romantic, and caring man on the earth!!! We would talk on the phone for hours. He was the best listener in the world! He would stare deeply into my eyes and hang on every word I said!!! I was deeply and intensely happy. My life felt perfect!
Believe it or not, this is the relationship Jesus desires for His Bride. He wants an intimate, meaningful romance with each one of us! He hangs on our every word! He laughs with us! He cries with us! He LONGS to hear our voice. Singing, praising, and sharing our joys and heartaches with Him. He longs to simply hold us in His arms. He longs to meet our every need!

"Jesus, Thank You! Thank You for loving me. Thanks for reminding me just how much You cherish our relationship! You are my First Love! You are my One Desire! How I long to see Your face! In ALL of Your resplendent Glory! You are ALL I long for, Jesus. Love ALWAYS, Your desiring-to-be-spotless bride. AMEN."