I realized something about myself this week. After 26 years of marriage to the same man, I still like to be pursued. Now before you raise your eyebrows I must clarify that the only man I like to pursue me is my husband! Let me explain. I am blessed with a wonderful man who is very kind to me and I to him as well, but when you have been married for as long as we have you become comfortable. Neither of us feel the need to pursue the other because we have already been caught. So a few days ago when my husband surprised me with an email that simply said FYI but had an attachment that was a reservation for an overnight get away in honor of Valentine’s day, I caught myself feeling quite special! You see I did not ask for or require a night away to know he loves me but opening up that little surprise made my heart skip a beat and realize that as secure as I am in my marriage I still like for him to pursue me a little!
In talking to other women I find this desire is common among most of us. We like to be pursued and romanced by a future or current mate. This feeling does not just apply to relationships. It can apply to our careers as well, it is thrilling to get that phone call or email from a company pursuing you to come work for them because they see your value in the workplace. Bottom line is we like to be pursued because it makes us feel wanted and needed.
Did you know God pursues you? Sometimes it is man’s rules that make it hard saying that you have to do or be a certain way before you can approach God; that you have to chase after him. That is not true. He approaches you everyday wanting relationship with you, wanting to give you all your heart’s desire, loving you as his daughter, wanting you to enjoy life and have fun! Wanting to protect you giving you strength to handle whatever may come your way and giving you victory as well. All you have to do is accept Him. It is free.
Lisa and I would love to hear your thoughts.
Every year I cut out the coupons for the various online flower sites and “subtly” leave them in places that my husband frequents. He, however, has yet to catch on to my clues. This year I tried a new “tactic”. I have saved every card that my husband has ever given me. They are all in a plastic shoebox that I keep in my closet. A few days ago I took down the box and started rummaging through the cards, smiling at some, and giggling at others. Although there are no dates on these cards, it’s easy to assume when in our relationship they were given. I quickly found the five Valentine’s Day cards that I had received early in our dating relationship. That was the year that my husband (then boyfriend) surprised me with a week of Valentine’s surprises! I still remember walking out of my apartment on the “First Day of Valentine’s” to find a single card attached to a CD. I fondly remember my heart fluttering the entire way to the car, anxiously wondering what was on the CD. Then, as the years went on, the cards started saying, “Sorry I’m too cheap to buy inflated Valentine’s Day flowers,” or “Sorry I’m not that romantic. I love you.”
You have to understand, my husband is a very practical man, and the thought of spending more on something than it’s worth just doesn’t fly with him. And because I know this about him, it doesn’t bother me. But, there is something wonderful and fun about being pursued. And, when we were first “falling in love” he totally knew how to pursue me. And, not a day goes by that I don’t know without a shadow of a doubt that he still loves me.
So, imagine my surprise when the doorbell rang unexpectedly on Friday afternoon. There, sitting on the front porch was the long skinny box that can only mean one thing. ROSES! These didn't show up on my doorstep out of guilt, but out of love, from a husband who still knows how to pursue me.
It’s amazing to me that no matter who we are, what we are, or where we’ve been, God pursues us with passion. He loves us so much that He is constantly seeking us out. He wants us to love Him that He finds us, wherever we are. There is a song right now that speaks to this very love that God has for all of us. JJ Heller sings a song called “What Love Really Means”. It is one of my favorite songs right now, but at the end, God is talking and He says:
I will love you for you
Not for what you have done or what you will become
I will love you for you
I will give you the love
The love that you never knew
You see, He can love us like no person can ever love. His love is perfect and pure and everlasting, and He loves you so much that He will never stop pursuing you.
