Yesterday my wife and I went to see our prayer warrior Lois. She hadn’t seen Kathy since the stroke hit but has been sending encouraging messages throughout this time. I go to see her a couple times a month keeping her updated on God’s Work through the ministries she prays for: Counseling and Celebrate Recovery. However, yesterday was a most touching reunion to see her and Kathy welcome one another. Lois finally said, “I haven’t had an update on the ministries, but today I just want to rejoice in having Kathy back in my life.” It made me tear up just watching this take place!

Over the past many years God has been teaching me what intimacy is like. First and foremost, I’ve needed to learn and witness that intimacy has no agenda behind it. It is pure love in action. I have always questioned in my mind what someone wanted from me if they hugged too long or if they placed a hand on my arm or shoulder and left it there for a time. I’ve learned that these physical moments from people are simply reinforcing a message of love and support with no other intent. When I witnessed Kathy and Lois yesterday I saw intimacy in its purity. I have thought that I was a lot more intimate today than I’ve ever been before. Maybe that is true, but witnessing it like yesterday, I found I have a ways yet to go. 

It overwhelms me to think that what I witnessed in this hour reunion was just like God’s Love for me. To be loved with no agenda other than love is amazing! To be in the presence of someone just to be with them–this is a huge part of intimate love. God wants that with me and I want that with HIM. I do have a ways to go, and that moment yesterday let me see love like God wants me to know.