Marriage

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I was thinking this morning of the variety of gifts one can give from the kitchen, and I was struck by the ones that you give, that contain all of the ingredients, layered in a lovely container, instead of the finished thing you have baked.

So this morning I'd like to construct a gift for you, of all the things I'd like to give you each day, things that spell 'love,' to me, things that I feel, but sometimes do not say.

The very bottom layer would be the thickest of all, the foundation on which all else is put.... the love and knowledge that Jesus reigns in our lives, like the flour, the main ingredient of our recipe.

Above this would be the layer that makes life sweet, the look in my eyes when they meet yours, the gentle touch of my hand upon your face.... the words that we speak, and the ones that need no voice, the tenderness of time that is spent together, all these are like sugar, lending the sweet taste to the mix, the one that keeps you coming back for more.

On top of this one is a small, thin layer, one that is almost invisible to the eye, but without it our recipe would be so flat, nothing baked from it would ever rise.... this is the power of prayer, the praises I sing, the thanks that I offer for the gift I have in you, and for myself to be the very best I can be, to show my love and delight so true.

Finally come the spices, the layer that perks up the taste, small dashes of fun, and silliness too.... a pinch of mischief, a big spoonful of joy, a smidgen of delight to mix in through and through, and last, sprinkled over all the rest, the flavoring of peace and comfort, that will seep from the top to the bottom of the layers, bringing all the ingredients together to make one thing.

And when all is assembled, it fills the container to the top, and then comes the crowning touch, the very best part...God pours out the icing of grace and forgiveness, to be applied when the baking is done. With loving hands and tears of joy, each day I bring my gift, it is the same one each time, but somehow brand new.... and I give you my heart layered full of the ingredients of love, everything I am and hope to be, I give to you.

© 2004

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