Because True Love Goes Above and Beyond

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning if you decide to make a purchase through my links, I may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. See my disclosure for more info.

She was a foreigner, learning the language and culture.

I’ve never been outside the US.

Her husband, father-in-law, and brother-in-law left this world much earlier than anticipated.

I don’t want to imagine what it’s like to lose my husband. Or any other godly men in my life.

She was forced into finding a job and established a strong work pattern.

I’ve typically enjoyed the option of choosing my job, even when it was a difficult one.

She left a statement that has echoed for many years and you’ll find it in Ruth 1:16&17:

But Ruth said, “Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you. For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there will I be buried. May the LORD do so to me and more also if anything but death parts me from you.” (ESV)

Because true love goes above and beyond.

It pledges allegiance, goes to battle and stays by your side in the trenches.

It not only marries you for being you, but for being your best you…and your worst you.

True love doesn’t simply repeat the wedding vows; it sits on the deck 50 years later holding hands.

It walks around outside your body in the form of children and extends further than you ever dreamed.

Today I did something I have no desire to do. Never want to do again. Didn’t enjoy at all.

I held a snake.

You see, I hate snakes. I already explained this a few weeks ago when I reviewed the Nature Bible (which is awesome, by the way!) So why did I do this?

Because my kids wanted me to. You can imagine the encouragement when I protested at touching the snake:

Aww, come on, Mom!

You can do it!

There’s nothing to be afraid of!

And so I tiptoed above my fears and reached beyond my own desires to do something my children wanted me to do.

Yes, I’ll do anything for them. Even hold a snake that most likely will give me nightmares.

Because true love goes above and beyond.

Love bears up under anything and everything that comes, is ever ready to believe the best of every person, its hopes are fadeless under all circumstances, and it endures everything.

I Cor. 13:7- Amplified Bible

This snake is a bit of a silly example and I’m still meditating on the redeeming love Ruth experienced. But for now, I’m wondering:

Have you ever experienced love that went above and beyond?

If you have written about it, I’d love it if you’d share the story and link in the comments! Or if you’ve simply read someone else’s story about going above and beyond, I’d love for you to leave that link too. Have a great beginning of the week!