Those late night chats

When our friendship first began, long before I ever knew we’d one day marry each other, we loved to talk on the phone into the wee hours of the morning. There I sat in my parents’ dining room, in a cozy-orange chair, stretching the blue phone cord as far as it could reach, so I could be comfortable and talk longer. I didn’t care how late it got (although my dad did) or how tired I’d be the next day. It was one of my favorite things to do and still is.

There was always an incredible anticipation in my chatting with S. I looked forward to it and enjoyed every minute. We talked about everything and I was always challenged by what he had to say and contribute. And I loved the laughter we shared. No one had ever made me laugh so hard. It was an incredible friendship that I continue to enjoy the fruit of today.

This week we’ve had a few nights when we’ve just sat on the couch, talking, sharing, growing, and planning into those same wee morning hours. And, I’ve loved it. I love hearing his heart and mind speak, and I love how we speak truth to each other. I love sharing my heart and life with this wonderful husband of mine. Although we talk all the time, there is something about our late night chats that draw us closer and cause me to give thanks for the great hope and redemption He’s brought into our lives and marriage.

It’s amazing to look back at how much I loved him then, but how much more I love him now! How much deeper. Truer. No matter how tired I am, I will always stay up for him. I will talk until he thinks he’s ready for slumber. I can still listen to him as long as he needs, and respond as long as my mouth keeps speaking, even if my eyes are flickering.

It’s nice that I don’t have to stretch the phone cord any more or wish we could be right there next to each other. We are, each night, and I’m so very thankful.

“How foolish I am.
Why am I drawn to the flame
Which extinguishes?”
(Jack Pretusky)

Oh the poor fate of the moth, constantly drawn to that which dies. Just like us. We’re drawn, pulled, tempted by the very thing that kills us. Why such drive and enthusiasm to fly into the very flame of sin? Why such craft to hide in darkness, in lies, in condemnation and guilt when Jesus offers truth, light, and forgiveness, and freedom?

In chatting with a friend today, I was reminded of the sin that can keep us bound for potentially our entire lives on earth. That is, apart from the truth of the Gospel and of Christ. It is quite easy and perhaps even comfortable to find ourselves in a place where lying is easier than truth-telling, where rudeness is preferred over kindness, and where vengeance becomes ours instead of God’s. How He calls us to more than we take for ourselves, the moths that we are!

How grateful I am that He can take these hearts of stone and transform them into honest confession, truth-telling, resulting in grace, redemption, forgiveness, and forever being accepted because of Christ’s perfect life and sacrifice.

We have great hope and freedom. How foolish to be drawn the flame which extinguishes.