Love Out on a Limb – MM #44

Several years ago we wrote a poem. Yes, we wrote a poem. It’s not something we usually do, but the words just seemed to flow as we talked about lovebirds, comparing them to couples who are in love. Their love starts out expansive. The whole world is theirs. But at some point they find themselves out on a limb, so to speak. It’s a time when they have to make important decisions. Do they stay on that narrow, uncomfortable limb? Or do they work to get themselves to a better place?

Instead of describing it to you, please take a look. See if you can learn something (like we did) that you can adapt to use in your relationship:

Love Out on a Limb

Two lovebirds, out on a limb,
One is a “her” —the other a “him.”
After they married, they built their own nest.
And that’s when their lives began a new quest.

In the beginning their love conquered all.
Then after a while she started to bawl,
“Why don’t you love me as much as before?
All of a sudden you’ve become a big bore.

“You go off to work —then come home to eat.
You pick up the remote, and put up your feet.
And the rest of the evening all that I see,
is you flipping the channels on that stupid TV.

“What’s happened to your promise —to love and adore?
I feel so neglected, why do you ignore
the children and me, and all of our needs?
And look at the lawn —it’s turning to weeds!”

He looked up and he said, “Now don’t you start.
I’m working long hours, and I’m doing MY part.
I’m tired of the nagging, and need time to chill.
It feels like all day I’ve been running up hill.
You crab and you nag, and you criticize me.
I just need some peace… how blind can you be?”

You pick me apart and then you’re amazed
why I close my ears and instead look dazed.
I feel so belittled and worthless and small.
But when I am elsewhere, others make me feel tall.”

So, What’s Next?

And now these two Lovebirds are really out on a limb.
One is a “her” and the other a “him.”
Their love’s been reduced to accusations and fights,
seeking their own ways, and defending THEIR “rights.”
Where’ s their promise to love, honor, and cherish?
Without God’s help this marriage could perish.

You see, marriage is a covenant… a promise to keep;
When God is your center, the benefits you’ll reap.
A cord of 3 strands is not quickly broken,
when you put into practice the words God has spoken.
We’re to live as He said, “Be imitators of Me”
just as Christ lived His life sacrificially.

Submit to each other “as unto the Lord,”
giving each one preference —to live in one accord.
For love is patient, unselfish, and kind.
It doesn’t hold grudges —or shame and remind
each spouse of faults they’re trying to erase.
There are times we all need unmerited grace.

We’re to love as God loves —our vows we’re to keep,
showing others who need Him that His love is deep.
He doesn’t give up, and neither should we.
If we love like He does, it is Christ they will see.

As the love birds we spoke of, opened their eyes,
They knew what to do… and to their surprise
God helped them to love beyond human reason
and take their marriage to a brand new season.
They started helping and caring and showing their love
just as Jesus Christ gives love, over and above.

So now those Lovebirds are no longer on a limb.
The one being a “her” — the other a “him.”
Their home honors Christ. They’re now partners, who love,
each other and Christ, and their Father above.

The Moral to the Story

There’s a moral to what God inspired us to write that reaches beyond the surface. It distinguishes the difference between love as the “world gives” versus the love of Christ, which is forever —despite that which assaults it. God’s love is what we’re to give each other when we marry.

Love as the world gives can be more spontaneous. And many think it should come “more natural.” That makes human sense. It says: “I will love you as long as…” or “I will love you until I decide our love is no longer viable.” Then after that time it’s “to each, their own.”

But that isn’t Godly love. Godly love is “patient“ … it is “kind. Love does not envy. It does not boast. And it is not proud. It is not rude, is not self-seeking, and is not easily angered. It keeps no record of wrongs. Love [true, Biblical love] does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres” (1 Corinthians 13:4-7).

Love Out on a Limb of Choice

There’s nothing easy in giving this type of love. It’s takes pure determination and perseverance to love, unlike how the world loves. But it is Godly, and it is Christ-like.

When we love like God loves, there WILL be pain involved, and suffering… just as Christ suffered —because of love. But for the greater good of our marriages, families, communities, and more importantly… Kingdom work, we must PUT ON LOVE to get off of the worldly limb.

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity“ (Colossians 3:12-14).

We pray your love for each other will be given perfect unity through of the love of Christ,
Cindy and Steve Wright

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