As young marrieds, Jordan and I once had a horrible fight that left us sitting on opposite sides of our kitchen floor at midnight unable to cross the divide. As luck would have it, we had planned to start driving the next day from Chicago to Oregon for the Christmas holiday. We loaded up the dogs and made it to about Davenport, Iowa in stony silence. And then the radio’s tornado warnings stopped being warnings. We passed giant highway signs twisted 180 degrees by the wind. A damaged car lay where it ought not to be. Vehicles snaked up in breakdown lanes under overpasses as winter travelers sought emergency shelter. We crept along. And we started talking about little, important things. Like how many minutes to the next dog friendly motel. And we held hands on the gear shift, watching the skies. It was easier to hold each other that night. Sometimes love needs a storm to get to what it’s meant to be.

In the last few years, the crosswinds of pandemic, financial crisis and cultural rage have reshaped the landscape. We drive past 180 degree damage in communities and relationships. But we also see loves which, ultimately, proved unbreakable. Let us give thanks. And keep faith. Our love isn’t yet what it will be.

“Mighty waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot sweep it away. If a man were to give all the wealth of his house for love, his offer would be utterly scorned.” Song of Solomon 8

“Yet He knows the way I have taken; when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold”. Job 23

After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him. So Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you want to go away as well?” Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.” John 6