The day was planned to the last detail—a long walk in a garden setting, an interlude at a peaceful place, an unseen photographer to capture the emotion, and a poem that explained it all. The poem was the script for the entire episode, the centerpiece of a stunning expression of love.

On special occasions like birthdays or Valentine’s Day, Phillip often wrote poems to Traci. But this occasion was not one of those special days. So when Phillip stopped at a quiet place overlooking the river and chose that serene moment to have Traci read the poem he had written, she sensed something special might be happening. Her heart began to race eagerly as she became immersed in the words of affection he had written to her until she came to the words about oneness. At that moment tears began to stream down her cheeks and her voice quivered a bit when Phillip dropped to one knee, placed a ring on her finger, and spoke the poem’s final words he had withheld from the printed page.

Traci answered, “Yes.”

Nearby, the photographer was busy capturing the scene just as Phillip had planned while several blocks away a gathering of family and close friends prepared to celebrate when with the newly engaged couple arrived for lunch. The surprise had been weeks in the planning. It was an expression of love and we pray their oneness will bring a lifetime of joy to them and to those they love.

Over the years, there may have been millions of planned expressions of love similar to this one. But there is one that will never be exceeded. It was planned when God created the world and gave mankind free will. Free will meant there would be human imperfection. So God planned for a Savior. Jesus is God’s expression of love to all of us. And like Phillip’s proposal to Traci, Jesus offers an invitation too.

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." (Matthew 11:28-30)

And when we answer, “Yes,” we become one with him. And that is the expression of love He longs to receive.

 

“You are the light of the world.”

 www.reflectingthesavior.org.