Daily Devotional for February 5, 2021

Rerun of Daily Devotional February 6, 2018

Mike sent me the following story.  It is too good not to use.

John was on his deathbed and gasped pitifully, “Give me one last request, dear,” he said.  “Of course, John,” his wife said softly.  “Six months after I die,” John said, “I want you to marry Bob.”  “But I thought you hated Bob,” she said…
With his last breath John said, “I do!”

Some marriages are made in Heaven and some are not.

What makes a good marriage is a couple that is always there for each other and continually forgiving the other’s shortcomings.  Take Shannon for instance.

Last Saturday, we were leaving my granddaughter’s first birthday party.  It was a wonderful experience filled with laughter, presents, and a ton of food.  I ate a lot.  In fact, I probably put on at least five pounds as I grazed the buffet.

Knowing that we had two cows at home ready to give birth, when Shannon and I got in the truck I said, “I want to have a calf when we get home.”   At that point, Shannon leaned over, patted my stomach, laughed, and said, “I think you could.” 

That’s when I decided to love her anyway.

A blessed marriage happens when the husband and wife choose to love each other and make it work.  Never think love is not a choice.  It is.

Now granted, in looking at my marriage to Shannon, I have to admit she is married to the perfect man.  She never has to forgive me for anything.  But there are many times when I have to forgive Shannon and love her in spite of her imperfections.  The calf comment was one of those times.  I chose love.

God has also made a choice.  It is to love each of us warts and all.   This is what Paul meant by saying, “But God shows his love for us, because while we were still sinners Christ died for us.”  (Romans 5:8)

There’s nothing you can do that will make God love you more.  And there’s nothing you can do that will make God love you less.  It’s God’s choice.  God chooses love.

Prayer:  Dear Gracious Heavenly God, thank you for creating, sustaining, and saving me.  Please forgive my incessant sins and guide me on your path.  In Jesus’ name I pray.  Amen.

Just by being able to write this devotional, it is easy to see that Shannon has chosen to love me.  Thank God!

I pray your day is filled with joy and laughter.
Tom Robbins