Faces of Love

Milton Berle once quipped that "all the world loves a lover -- except people who are waiting to use the phone."

Love has many faces. The faces we see so often are ones of infatuation and romance. We speak of "falling in love" and feel, too, as if we are in free-fall. But the face of love I appreciate the most is not romance, as much as I am drawn to it, but one I can always count on to be there. It is the face of devotion.

I see that face in the couple who were engaging in a dinner-time disagreement. To the children's amazement, their father jumped up from the table, grabbed two sheets of paper, and said to his wife, "Let's make a list of everything we don't like about each other."

She agreed and proceeded to write. He, meanwhile, sat and glowered. She looked up and he began to write. When she continued listing complaints, he stared across the table at her. Again, when she looked up he put pen to paper and continued writing. He stopped to watch her, and every time she caught his eye, he wrote again.

They finally finished. "Let's exchange complaints," he said. They gave each other their lists.

She glanced at his sheet and pleaded, "Give mine back!" 
All down his sheet he had written: "I love you,
I love you,
I love you."

As much as I enjoy romance, it's an unwavering devotion that I need the most. I need to know that love which says, "I will be with you through it all." It is a face which can often be seen on parents and grandparents, on spouses, and even on very good friends. And it is a face which, when I gaze at closely enough, I can see in it something of the face of God.

If you haven't noticed that face lately, look closely. You might be surprised where you find it!

Author: Steve Goodier publisher of LifeSupport Systems a free newsletter on sharing life, love and laughter. Subscribe today. Steve has also written numerous books.