For a read-aloud of this post, check out https://anchor.fm/ann-frailey/episodes/Love-esf86t

I love…a lot of things. Today as I picked the last tomatoes off the vine, I was reminded how much I love fresh fruits and vegetables. When I dropped my son off at a neighbor’s house to do yard work and chatted with a neighbor lady who just celebrated her 100^th year anniversary with her husband (Okay, that’s a slight exaggeration), I thought about sustained marital love and all the hills and valley’s that kind of love must endure. Then, later, as I connected with a mother of seven kids, I thought about moms and how their love changes yet always remains the same.

I often don’t realize how much I love people or things until they are on the brink of extinction or gone entirely. How human is that?

As passionate beings, we associate love with physical sensations: hot spiced cider, the fragrance of flowers, a glorious sunset, the music score of our favorite movie, the touch of a loved one. But real love—the one that lasts from one season to another—must travel from physical reality to a secret place in our souls.

Soon, the garden will sleep in winter’s embrace. Even the most delicious meal must come to an end. Perfumes dissipate. Children grow up and move away. Friends and family pass to the other side.

Some days we stand silent, alone, in the dark.

But deep inside, I know that the garden, the honeysuckle blossoms, hot cocoa, homemade bread, friendly neighbors, loving parents, happy children, and the warm embrace of loving hearts still live.

Along with the God who made them all—the One who loves me, forever and always, in His secret place.

A. K. Frailey is the author of 15 books, a teacher for 35 years, and a homeschooling mother of 8.

Make the most of life’s journey. 

For books by A. K. Frailey check out her Amazon Author Page

https://www.amazon.com/author/akfrailey

Photo https://pixabay.com/photos/baby-child-father-parent-2616673/