Cost of Love

Cost of Love

I stumbled with my words

as I helped her to the seat

I went down on one knee

to make the moment complete

"What are you doing?"

she asked with a giggle

I pulled out the ring

and tried not to wiggle

I took her by the hand

and asked the obvious question

Her mouth opened wide

with an unexpected reaction

--Silence--

I put the ring on her finger

waited nervously for her reply

She closed her mouth

then closed her eyes

The next few seconds

felt like years

Then I saw here eyes

well up with tears

She looked me in the eyes

Her gaze was just too steady

She said, "I'm sorry.

I am just not ready."

She gave back the ring

leaned and kissed my head

I sat there completely silent

Stunned by what she said

She stood, turned

walked out the door

With the rejected token in hand

I crumbled to the floor

Pain replaced the shock

why I cried, why God why

Why those hurtful words

why that cold reply

God I just don't understand

Did I not do my part

What did I do

to deserve this broken heart

As I laid there sobbing

A vision came to mind

I was caught up in heaven

Jesus, I did find

My Lord smiled and said

Well done my faithful children

Your time here is finished

Today you enter heaven

Then my Lord looked down

The joy on his face did drain

The sight of the chaos below

Made his face twist with pain

I instantly knew the source

of my Lord's distress

I know the pain of rejection

rejection despite giving my best

Love is only genuine

When it is freely chosen

Fear of rejection

can leave us frozen

It is universally true

Love has a very high cost

True love cost the Son of God

Death on a cross

We have a high priest

Who knows rejection's sting

His love for us without doubt

Is an infinitely deeper thing

Is it truly better

To risk love and lose

When we learn to love like Jesus

We may hurt

We never lose

Jesus knew the price he paid

He knew what was after the grave

Jesus showed us on calvary

True love is worth what he gave