I've become a huge fan of "When Calls the Heart." Fortunately, since we do not subscribe to any specialty television channels, our local library carries the series in DVD and I am currently enjoying watching each episode. Last evening the program included the difficulties faced by newly married couple Leland (Lee) Coulter and his wife Rosemarie, or "Rosie" as he affectionately calls her. Although Rosemarie's heart is in the right place, she can be overbearing, insensitive and selfish. Lee was trying to teach her how to drive, and well, in her impatience she ends up almost crashing their newly purchased vehicle into the front of the local mercantile. When her husband addresses the event, in an act of stubborn defiance she moves out of their home to stay with her neighbour, Elizabeth.
Thankfully, it does not take long for her to come to her senses and admit the error of her ways, but throughout the 11 seasons thus far her husband's commitment to love, honour and cherish his wife, for better or for worse, is an ongoing, beautiful example of the covenant they made on their wedding day.
I know it is just a fictional story, but the wholesome, and often biblical applications are such an example for us. Many may see the portrayal of characters and situations as "old-fashioned", but they refresh and encourage my heart in their innocence and morality. The example of covenant love is depicted so clearly through the example of Lee and Rosemarie.
In Hosea, God's relationship with His people is portrayed as a marriage. God is the groom, and Israel, His bride. Israel is portrayed as an unfaithful "wife" through the marriage of the prophet Hosea to the prostitute Gomer. Hosea was instructed by God to experience this struggling relationship for all to see as an example, not only of Gomer and Israel's infidelity, but also our own personal disloyalty to God. The Lord desires genuine, intimate, heartfelt love, yet how prone we are to adultery as we chase after other affections.
Even with the fruit of Gomer's idolatry, bearing children outside of wedlock, God instructs Hosea to "go and love your wife again, even though she commits adultery with another lover. This will illustrate that the LORD still loves Israel, even though the people have turned to other gods and love to worship them." The love Hosea is told to offer the prostitute is outside of the marriage bed (Hosea 3:3).
Many reading this are likely married, so for just a moment I want to encourage you in your "even though" struggles. No one has the perfect spouse. There will be "driving lessons" that "almost crash" in all our relationships, but God calls us to "go and love again." This is evidenced in tender ways of expressing appreciation to one another, gentle touch, care, kind and honest compliments, respect, honesty, understanding, listening, acceptance, time, putting the others needs before our own. It could include baking their favourite dessert or making their favourite meal. Maybe it is surprising them with something as simple as the chocolate bar you know they enjoy.
Hosea was to go and love his wife again after all the times she had left the umbrella of his protection. It may seem like an unreasonable and impossible request considering all she had done, until we stop and think about the number of times we have abandoned our first love for lesser loves. As believers, God is to be our greatest passion and deepest desire. Through all our "even thoughs" God is "even now", ever there, never leaving or forsaking and always loving unconditionally. He is forever faithful despite times when His devotion to us is not reciprocated. Receive His love today and return to His open arms.