Love
Before Hannah was born, I prayed very specifically for blessings to shower upon her. I chose to pray for the things I longed for myself when I was growing up or looking back at regrets - older brothers, a healthy sense of herself, a driving passion for the Lord, a desire for relationship but without ever compromising herself.
God said yes.
And it humbles me constantly. I prayed a hundred smaller prayers over her, and they were answered too. God so abundantly blessed and exceeded my prayers for her, I struggle to write them down. It feels prideful, even though I know they are from HIM. Just the presence of her beauty, inside and out - it humbles me. She is a delicate gift of steadfast Love. I couldn’t imagine anyone who would deserve her, but I prayed for him to come into her life.
And now, God has answered this other deeply rooted prayer of my mother’s heart with Hannah’s first romantic relationship. He has blown me away with his goodness and Love for my child. I don’t know how this will play out - they’re young & there are unique hurdles to their future - but I do know how blessed we are right now, for knowing this young man (who shall remain nameless and faceless for the sake of his privacy). I do want to write about him, though. I don’t want to forget this precious moment in Hannah’s life.
You see, the longer he is part of Hannah’s days & weeks, the more I realize he is a blessing because he epitomizes Corinthians 13. He is an answer to our prayers, because he walks in LOVE.
Hannah chose him. She developed feelings for him over many months and confided in me the silent torture of being in his presence without him noticing her. She isn’t a girl who will flirt or tease. She’s straightforward. And without a hint of what would happen (though I suspected any boy would be crazy not to at least get to know her) she told him. SHE TOLD HIM. I still marvel at her bravery. And, to his credit, he didn’t jump at the chance. He was cautious. He was careful. You know, for a hot minute - then he started to see how amazing she is.
And now they’re smitten. It’s young love, with all the passion and persistent desires to be with each other, the glow of happiness when they’re together and sadness when they’re apart. All that is to be expected.
What’s surprising is the pervading and consistent sweetness to their relationship. I didn’t know young love could be this way. Like so many other areas of my life, I only knew how to get it wrong & I simply pray for my loves to get it right.
My heart swells in their presence. The way he touches her with respect and sweetness, cradling her like the greatest treasure he’s ever known, is precious to be near. He’s more respectful of her boundaries than I knew possible and he actually guards her purity openly. He encourages her, delights in her, seeks her joy and is protective of her heart. I couldn’t ask for a better companion for my precious daughter, except I did. And again, God said yes. I couldn’t be more grateful.
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails. ........
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”
