Falling Divinely In Love
“I cannot fix the hour,
or the spot,
or the look,
or the words
which laid the foundation.It is too long ago.
I was in the middle
before I knew I had begun.”
~ Jane Austen
I love taking pictures. It’s really to my detriment. If we happen to be perched on our chairs, chatting over a cup of coffee, beware. Right before you take a bite into your cinnamon twist, I might just ask you to hold it right there.
Falling in love is a lot like taking pictures.
As it’s happening, it’s hard to freeze the moment and capture it in a still. A big part of good photography comes from learned and practiced skills. There is an essential element in a great picture, however, that has nothing to do with the equipment and everything to do with the feeling.
Falling in love with God is like snapping that great picture. The feelings of first love, many might judge as being too flighty. But, it was a moment I understood with great feeling and unmistakable emotion.
Before My First Crush
I fell in love with God long before I had my first crush with a sandy brown-haired boy in third grade. I was eight years old.
The night I met Jesus held a couple elements of romance. It was at night, and I was unsuspecting. It was so dark, I tripped over the uneven trail that led to the meeting place for that night’s evangelistic meeting.
Hey, this was back in the Seventies, when the kids’ program for church was sitting in the back of the room, eating candy and playing Hang Man with your buddies.
I didn’t want to play any games that night. I didn’t have a Bible. So, I flipped through the pages of the King James Bible, that the ushers had put on top of the chairs.
I was a young reader, advanced for my age. A lonely child of a working, single mother, my closest companions came to me between paper and print, wherever I went. I knew about protagonists and soliloquies.
A Story Punctuates
So, when the preacher started telling the story of a prince who left his palace, to experience daily life with His people, I sat straight in my chair and listened with hungering curiosity.
I thought the story was pretty predictable, until it got to the part where the prince was maligned and condemned to death for a lie. Surely, this was the time for our hero to break in passionate monologue and be rescued from his plight! Even if he were to die, it was certain our main character would break forth in passionate plea.
Instead, he died. Hung, on a tree.
I was struck dumb. No way! I could not believe it. That’s it?
The only explanation was the one that was given. The one I believed.
This prince was God’s own son, Jesus. And He was sent to die for us. Because He loved us.
It was the word, LOVE, that punched through young skull, into my mind, translating into an ardent fire in my chest.
I wanted to be… and felt… loved.
Some say love is a choice. Others say it’s a feeling. I say it’s both.
~~~~~
Oh, yeah — about that great picture. Candid pictures are the best, really. One day, we’ll go to heaven and drink the wedding toast with Jesus. He’ll open up a photo album of pictures.
There I’ll be captured, in a divine snapshot, young and in love, with a tender smile on that eve.
~~~~~
“I have loved you with an everlasting love;
I have drawn you with loving-kindness.”
~ God (Jeremiah 31:3)
“But you walked away from your first love – why? … Do you have any idea how far you’ve fallen?”
~ God (Revelations 2:4-5)
~~~~~
What is your divine love story?
Was it love at first sight with God– or was it slow development of images, that added to a picture of love?
~~~~~
Share your story — in the comments below or write a blog post, and include a link. I’d love to read and enjoy it.
I'm irresistibly walking through 14 Days Of Love ! To start at the beginning, click here: Day 1: 14 Days of Irresistible -- An IntroDay 2: Falling Divinely In Love Day 3: Friendship Is Like Dating Day 4: Are You A Book Lover? 14 Books That Changed My Life Day 5: What Does Your Name Mean? A Name Between Two Lovers SUBSCRIBE NOW to get updates from FaithBarista hot and fresh directly in your mailbox via email (click here) or RSS (click here) news reader.
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I am one of those “I was in the middle before I knew I’d begun” people. I have gone to church my entire life. I don’t remember the first time I asked Jesus into my heart…but I do remember doing it over and over. I was unsure and insecure in my relationship with God. I didn’t feel confident that I’d done the right things to become His child. Then I heard that all you have to do is repent and ask. I knew I’d done that multiple times so I started working on getting to know Him instead of continuously introducing myself to Him. I’m still learning new things about Him, 25 years later, and I still find myself feeling unsure and insecure that He could really love me. But, He never tires of showing me His love.
Melissa Brotherton´s last blog ..Where Can I Get Spiritual Cosmetic Surgery?
“I started working on getting to know Him instead of continuously introducing myself to Him…” What a startling attitude. I love how your story is a continuing discovery of God’s love. And yes, God is the most ardent lover and never tires of being so.
Bonnie, there is something so refreshing about the way you related your first encounter with Jesus. I wonder what it will be like for mine when they really “see” Him for the first time… This was beautiful!
Kelly Langner Sauer´s last blog ..This is Us
It’s going to be an amazing photo book.
Beautiful post. My relationship with Christ has been a journey, to say the least, but one worth taking. I came to Him at a young age>> time, with Him through all the phases of my life, is what has brought me to where I am. I anticipate many more years of growing with Him. Thanks for checking out my blog!
Jennifer Adams´s last blog ..Hello Saturday Morning
It’s always an unexpected number of elements God uses to woo us.
What a beautiful story Bonnie! “Because He loved us”. That about says it all doesn’t it… because HE loved us. All day, every day… because HE loves us!
Jennifer´s last blog ..A Glimpse of Ice
HE is the operative word. Stunning picture, Jen. You’ve captured God in the act of making something beautiful. I can just see Him smiling.
I’ve written about my divine love story on my blog…it’s about learning that I am a Daddy’s girl. You can read it at http://healingthewoundedheart-debbie.blogspot.com/
Debbie´s last blog ..Daddy’s Girl
I gave my life to Jesus because I needed a Savior, and He was the last rung on my ladder. It wasn’t that I loved Him, but that, it was either Him or suicide. I just took a chance on Him.
Over a period of months, as I spent time in prayer – not even knowing how to pray – His presence overwhelmed and wooed me until I fell in love with Him.
So, my divine love story is that He loved me so much that He accepted me as I was – loveless, lifeless and hopeless – and then patiently changed me.
Larry Who´s last blog ..Islamic Terrorists Vs. Radical Christians: New Game. New Rules. (Part 2)
Loveless, lifeless, hopeless … Love has to be that real, in order to bring about a life of change… We need His love continually, anew in every stretch of the way.
I can’t remember the first time I met Him. My parents arranged our match before I was even born.
I love to read about the first time someone met the Lord– the first time someone heard that beautiful story. It reminds me to never lose the wonder. 
Erin´s last blog ..Unwrapping Her Laughter
Aaahh… So, you are like Jane Austen, who says that she “cannot fix the hour or the spot…”. You were in the middle before you had begun… Yes, falling in love is a wonder I hope to never lose. Beautiful thought, Erin.
Loved the comparison with taking pictures. I love to take pictures too so it was easy for me to relate.
I wrote my divine love story–Daddy’s Girl–on my blog.
http://healingthewoundedheart-debbie.blogspot.com/
Debbie´s last blog ..Daddy’s Girl