“Back to the Bench Where We had our First Kiss” was a delightful, sweet, emotional article by Danny Heitman, published in the Wall Street Journal, July 1,2025. He described the oak-shaded bench that became the place he chose to take his wife for a kiss on their 33rd anniversary.
My husband, Jim, recently took me back to Magazine Mountain near Paris, Arkansas, where we honeymooned 60 years ago. At that time, it was a rustic log cabin in the woods on a cliff overlooking the Petit Jean River Valley. Now it is a modern, beautifully appointed lodge replete with amenities. Recalling our love for one another is invaluable. It became a remembrance of God’s faithfulness through the joys and sorrows of our journey as one. We could not have persevered without God’s love for us and our love for Him.
Draw Near. “Draw Near to God and He will draw near to you” (James 4: 8 NKJV). Draw near is the phrase the Old Testament uses to describe the Levitical priests approaching God with their animal sacrifices. The truth is that when we accept God’s son, Jesus, as our savior, we become part of the priesthood of believers. Jesus became the sacrifice and paid for our sins with His blood shed on the cross. Now we approach the throne of grace to worship Him. When we draw near to God in praise and thanksgiving, He draws near to us in response. We can sense His presence through the indwelling Holy Spirit. Our human tendency is like the hymn says, “Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it, prone to leave the God I love.” So, what can we do about it?
Avoid Drifting. “I have this against you, that you have left your first love” (Revelation 2: 4 NKJV). Spending time with someone is vital to establishing a relationship of trust, and the same is true of us and our time with the Lord. In our technical world we can easily waste hours on TV, social media, hobbies, politics, etc., instead of spending time in His presence. We are tempted to drift away from the fervent, personal, openly displayed first love we experienced as a new believer. But we can reverse course by being intentional about our time with the Lord. We can listen, be still, and meditate on Scripture. Sometimes I write my prayers to remain focused and share my gratefulness with a written note of thanks to Him.
Experience peace and joy. “Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14: 27 NKJV). Pastor J. Vernon McGee wrote, “An intimate relationship with Christ will make all of our relationships and all of our Christian service a joy.” Fanny Crosby wrote these words to a hymn, “I am Thine O Lord, I have heard Thy voice, and it told Thy love to me; But I long to rise in the arms of faith and be closer drawn to Thee. Draw me nearer, nearer, blessed Lord, to the cross where Thou hast died; draw me nearer, nearer, nearer blessed Lord, to Thy precious, bleeding side.”
Love is more than a feeling; it is something we do. As a married couple we love by serving and caring for one another. We show our love for God by keeping his commandments. (I John 5:3-4). Because of all He has done for us, I believe He smiles to hear, “I love you, Lord.”
Dear Heavenly Father, help us love you first today and every day. In the name of Jesus, Amen.