The Grand Gesture

 My sister and I have been talking about love and romance lately. Reminiscing a bit on relationships as young girls and those silly things we do for love. Like staying out in the cold under a snowfall just to be with that special person. Or staying up til wee hours of the night, not wanting to hang up the phone just to keep hearing their voice. I remember a very special valentine so long ago, when I received not just chocolates or jewelry, but this beautiful bouquet of lavender roses.... ahhhh, my favorites! Oh, the things we do for love. And then we grow up, haha!

I laugh about it, but there is a truth to it. We grow up. We get hurt by the ones we love. We lose hope in those grand gestures of kindness, affection, and love. Our hearts harden, and we aren't as quick to trust. We give, but only half-heartedly, afraid to be vulnerable. To go all in without inhibitions becomes too risky. And so we hold back. And not only do we hold back, but we no longer anticipate those special gifts or moments from others. We forgo the expectations of something beautiful or something magical and special. 

My sister and I lingered in conversation after recalling and watching the New Year's Eve scene from "When Harry Met Sally". The scene when he finally tells Sally all the reasons he loves her. Wow! that's a good scene! And as my sister called it, "the grand gesture!" We concluded that people are just too afraid of grand gestures.

And then I think a little more on it, and realize that to some degree, we might all be afraid of a grand gesture. Some of us are afraid to show it, and a lot of us are actually afraid to receive it. And I think I know why. You see, the grand gesture tells us that we are lovely, that we are special, that we are worthy, and we are loved. The grand gesture tugs at our heartstrings, not just romantically, but intimately and spiritually to tell us that we are seen and known and thought of as worthy of the greatest gift, which is love. The grand gesture is a gift that is freely given with no strings attached, simply because we are cared for.

When I think about it, I realize that God is the author of the grand gesture. And not only that, but He is the constant giver of grand gestures. I mean think about it for a second, if you will. Picture the tallest mountain you have ever seen or been on. For me, it would have been in Switzerland. I remember being on a train that was taking us up these most beautiful mountains and tears welled up in my eyes, as I was overwhelmed by the sight.  Grand gesture!

Think about the gradual change of seasons, how winter snow turns into spring blooms, and summer greens become orange and purple and all hues of red. It's not anything that we can grasp with our bare hands but only breathe in and embrace it all as magic. Grand gesture!

A child's birth. A newborn's smile. A warm meal on a cold day. The touch of a hand when feeling alone. A warm embrace. Laughter. Tears. More laughter.

God's forgiveness.

God's mercy.

God's protection.

God's kindness.

God's love.

God's Son.

Our salvation.

That is the greatest gesture. And for that I am forever grateful.

*John 3:16, For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son...