Thursday Night:

Sitting still for the first time in days, it seems, even though in reality it's only been four. I'm listening to the Phoebes with one ear and a Bible lesson in the pavilion with the other. Perfect Harmony. My open Bible lays in my lap; Hosea is my personal hero recently. I hope I never grow tired of God's faithfulness. I'm amazed He chose me in the first place.

A small booklet came in the mail today. It is entitled "Always Ravished With Love." Now, before you begin accusing my reading habits, allow me to read the subtitle to you: "A treatise on the nature and necessity of romantic love as the only possible basis for a godly marriage." While I can find plenty with which to take issue in these ten pages, I find these words fully humbling: "Any man who is in love with one woman would rather wait (if need be) to posses her, than to posses any other woman immediately." And perhaps it's because Hosea is so much on my mind lately, but this declaration stopped me and demanded my full attention.

Hosea's insistence on that one woman seems so ludicrous to us pure and wholly undefiled lukewarmers. He must have really wanted her, or wanted to obey God-- simultaneous in this instance. There were dozens more desirable women around, more perfect than his harlot bride, but still, he chose her. He listened, and waited, and pursued, and cried, and loved, and lost, and gained, and wept over her. I guess know I've never been in love, but I know that my affections are as easily dissuaded as they are piqued. I am as wanton with my heart and desires as Gomer was with her body -- I've just learned to hide it better.

So we're alike, Gomer and I. But Hosea, taking his cues from God in His goodness, dipped his head in thankfulness that her iniquity never went too far, her sin never went too deep, and, even if it had, his grace was unwavering. He was waiting for that one special girl, her painted face and trodden virginity not a determent for his love, but an excuse for more.

And so I'm so grateful for my salvation. He knows my heart's inability to be steadfast. He is fully aware of my tendency to meander and detour. He knows my most pressing temptations and my most difficult perseverance. And he still waits and loves patiently; I'm worth it to Him. He'll wait as long as necessary.