Love Fermented in the Seasons of Life
Waiting around in the airport is one of my least favorite things to do. Fortunately, while I’m waiting, I get to engage in one of my most favorite things to do, and that is people-watching.
Late last summer, the boyfriend (AKA husband) and I made a trip to our beloved Oregon coast. We settled in at our gate with our over-priced continental breakfast foods and high-dollar coffees and waited for our flight. Like a kid with a giant bucket of popcorn in front of a big screen, I was ready for my people-watching!
As it turned out, my focus that morning gravitated to the older couples navigating the concourse.
A slow-moving woman and her husband ambled among the rush of people hurrying by. Her gait was a bit unsteady. Her husband followed half a step behind her in a protective posture, almost like an angel with outstretched wings to cover her. I could see in his eyes a gentle patience and a fixed strength as he focused solely on getting his sweetheart to a safe place to land. Oblivious to the hustle passing them by, they steadily proceeded down the walkway.
The gentleman parked in a seat across from the coffee vendor kept his eyes glued on his elderly wife standing in line. She frequently looked back at him, and they would exchange flirtatious smiles. With coffees in hand, she eventually made her way back to him. Once she was seated, they leaned in and chatted over their drinks like old friends catching up after ages apart.
One gate over from us, a woman and man were seated next to each other. A good book sat splayed across her lap. Her husband’s shoulder rested heavily on his bride with his head tilting forward as he enjoyed a good cat nap. Her hand rested tenderly on his knee, the two of them comfortable in just being together.
Two folks wearing athletic shoes and holding hands walked determinedly and quickly down the concourse. Clearly, they knew where they were headed and were in a hurry to get there. Eager, smiling, and engaging in lively conversation, this man and woman surely had something wonderful ahead, and they were excited for their adventure to begin.
Finally, I noticed an elderly lady sitting alone. She was neatly dressed and wore a thoughtful expression. Our eyes met, and we smiled at each other across the rows of chairs separating us. I wondered if the empty seat next to her might have one day been filled with the love of her life. Was she sad to be traveling alone? Was she reminiscing about past trips with her sweetheart? Was she remembering vacations filled with adventure, relaxation, and him?
I wondered where all of these couples were headed on their travels. On their way to visit kids and grandkids? Returning home after saying goodbye to a friend at a funeral? Going to a new destination to explore?
I wondered where life had taken them prior to that morning in the airport. The joys and challenges of creating a life together? Cheering each other on in career endeavors? The bittersweet days of children grown and flown? Unexpected storms or crushing disappointments that tested and strengthened their commitment to each other? Failing health and weakened bodies? All of these – weathered as a team.
I wondered if all of these things past, present, and future had been experienced within the grace-filled arms of a God Whom they loved and Who had loved them first?
As I sat next to my favorite person in the world – my husband of 42 years – I thanked God for life goals that these precious souls in a busy airport reminded me we’re working towards…
A safe place for us to be for each other. A friendship overflowing with intimacy and faithfulness. The comfort of being vulnerable and at rest with each other. The excitement of shared mission and vision. And the gift of loving each other so deeply, that when the day comes that one of us goes Home to be with the Lord, we’ll smile through our grief in gratitude for the years, the hours, the moments God has given us together.
Grateful even now for a love fermented and made sweet in the seasons of life.
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“The Lord God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, He took one of the man’s ribs and closed up the place with flesh. Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib He had taken out of the man, and He brought her to the man. The man said, ‘This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called “woman,” for she was taken out of man.’ For this reason, a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.” – Genesis 2:21-24
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“…I found the one my heart loves. I held him and would not let him go…” – Song of Solomon 3:4a
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“Many waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot wash it away…” – Song of Solomon 8:7a
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“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” – Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
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“Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.” – Proverbs 3:3
