reveille: a wake-up call to LOVE

On Saturday, my family and I were blessed to enjoy a 1 year birthday party to celebrate the life of my first cousin's daughter, Reveille. Yes... Reveille!!! What a great name, huh? And it is an appropriate name since this little sweetheart has proven to be a huge "wake up call" for our entire family to trust God more and more.

You see, Revielle was born early and has endured more medical challenges/surgeries/treatments than most people will face in a lifetime. (Note: Reveille was born with challenges such as spina bifida, downs syndrome, and a club foot.) However, God continues to prove that all things are possible in Jesus Name and that His grace is always sufficient and, in fact, abundant! We will rejoice as He continues to use Reveille's life to reveal how loving He really is. I cannot begin to share how many smiles this little princess has brought to our whole family! We all pray for her well-being every day... for she is such a blessing! God is indeed GOOD!

Happy Birthday, Reveille!!!

Anyway, at one point during the party, I sat with my Aunt Ruthie and caught up on the happenings of our sassy Rev's life. During our conversation, my cousin, Jon (Rev's father), came over to share some important news with my aunt (his mother). He leaned over and started to whisper in her ear. While he was doing this, I happened to notice that my Uncle Larry (Ruthie's husband) was watching across the crowded room for Ruthie's reaction. You see, Jon had just told my uncle the same news only a moment earlier.

Once Jon whispered into my aunt's ear, suddenly her eyes began to swell up and a big grin enraptured her face. She could not have held back her joy if she wanted to. Something wonderful was happening! Something BIG was brewing!

The very instant Ruthie's facial expression changed, I watched my Uncle Larry's eyes fill with tears as he laughed/cried while watching and sharing in his lovely wife's joyful reaction. It was a beautiful moment between them both. A moment that took place across a busy room full of friends and family. A moment where they never spoke one sentence to each other, but were rejoicing together in heart and mind. Yes, there was love in that moment. There was love in those emotions. There was love in that look.

So by now, I'm sure you are asking what was Jon's news? Well, turns out that my cousin and his beautiful wife may be expecting baby #2!!! Nine months from now, we may all be enjoying another little arrival to join the ranks of our crazy family!!! YEA!

Congrats Jon, Heather and little Reveille!

Since returning home from the party, I have not been able to stop thinking about my aunt and uncle's silent moment of joy when they heard that they would be grandparents again. The experience got me thinking about the divine blessing of marriage... the joy of being "one" with a lifelong mate and choosing to sacrifice our whole heart to love that special person with everything we've got. When we place ourselves in the shoes of our spouse and live our lives in tune to their experiences, needs and feelings, no words or distance can hold back such shared intimacy or closeness. Yes, the experience between my aunt and uncle reminded me of how wonderful marriage can be when two people share EVERYTHING together - rejoicing and praising God through their victories, and praying and trusting their Redeemer through their trials. In a glimpse... in a simple moment of time, I was able to witness a lifetime of partnership and commitment between two wonderful role models. Through the lives of my aunt and uncle, I was able to see what true love really produces.

So, as we wrap up another Valentine's Day and move on with our day-to-day lives, I encourage every DW to hear this important wake-up call. I challenge you to not only consider your earthly relationships, but more importantly your covenant relationship that is shared between Almighty God and His holy church. As devoted followers of Jesus Christ, we are His beloved bride. In Him, we can enjoy a deep, spiritual oneness with a Savior that has sacrificed His whole heart to love us with everything He's got. And as scripture confirms, nothing can separate us from His commitment to stay intimately close and to love us forever.

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:38-39)

Wake up, and seek only His face through a crowded, corrupt world. Know the heart of the ONE who loves you the most. He promises to walk through every circumstance with you... every moment... every emotion. Look for Him always and allow others to witness the eternal partnership you share with the ultimate, holy role model - JESUS! See what the love of the King of kings will produce! I promise you it will be BIG! It will be ABUNDANT! It will be SO GOOD that we will be unable to contain our joy when we finally see His complete glory face-to-face!

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. (Deuteronomy 6:5)

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. (Matthew 6:33)

Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.

Blessings!

~Victoria