February Burning Love Contest Results!

Dear Readers,

Today we announce the winners of the February Burning Love Contest.  We're not exaggerating when we say this was the hardest contest to judge.  Every entry had something profound to say about love.

Let's go down the list.

#1—by Ann N—this entry shows us the results of patient, steadfast love—love that is other oriented.  The ending on this one was a kicker!

#2—by Loren T—ah, the enduring power, grace and beauty of love.  Exquisitely written.

#3—by Jan A—love bears all things and hopes all things—and this bearing and hoping are not in vain.   This is the stuff of dreams.  This is the stuff of God.

#4—by Allison E—Ultimate love—the template from which we base all our earthly relationships.  The Love that never fails.

#5—by Donna A—True love has a healing property that acts as a balm to the broken-hearted.  God provides if only we listen. (Loved the picture of Charlie—so glad you found him.)

#6—by Verna Jean M—Love is selfless.  It may seem over-the-top and a little crazy to someone looking from the outside, but that's exactly how Christ's love feels to us.  And what is love without a bit of crazy?

#7—by Marilyn G—illustrates a humble heart making a profound realization while engaged in the mundane.  Life-like—packs a whollop.

#8—by Loren T—written with sublime beauty.  A look at the simple yet intricate design of God's creation, and the harmony thereof.  This is one of those pieces that could be read a hundred times.

#9—by Miles O'—love is bold (just like Miles)!  Love pursues even in the face of danger!  Love overcomes!  (And love can be expensive!) 

#10—by Melody O—loneliness and the desire for love is not a matter of age.  And the smallest offering can open up a world.  This one reminds us to be aware of the people around us. 

#11—by Robyn B—love is like good literature—it shows more than it tells.  Love takes the time to see what's needed.  Love is sacrificial.  This facet of love—the showing via a sacrificial act is at the heart of faith. 

#12—by Pat G—ah, the enduring nature of love.  And that it dwells in the details—just where God is.  We love the way this story unfolds.

#13—by Sally H—the joys and the sorrows shared when two become as one so that from the outside it's difficult (if not impossible) to see where one ends and the other begins.   This is love.  And the bridegroom here lives it.

#14—by Minda M—love is unexpected!  When it's found there's joy and immense gratitude.  We'd be nothing if He hadn't loved us first.  This has the makings of a novel!

#15—Loren T—the quiet reflection, despair, and ache that are an undeniable part of love.  It was on the third or fourth reading, when we wondered if our Triune God had ever felt something similar when viewing His creation.

#16—by George P—this piece expresses love rich in emotion, physicality, and paradox—the very core of love.  In dying to ourselves, we live forever. . .

#17—by Samson M—self-deprecating and ridiculous—disqualified for being the best husband/father in the world.  Oh, how you are loved.

140-Word Conundrum #1—taught us that good rugs are hard to keep down.

!40-Word Conundrum #2—helped clarify hopping, but gave us a bad rap.

This is just some of what we gleaned from your entries.  Do you see how difficult it is to name a "winner"?  Our decision was made a little easier by a couple of people who said they didn't want to compete—they had merely wanted to put their thoughts into words. 

We thank you for those thoughts.

We thought it was cool the way themes emerged—like what an unexpected and joyful gift love is for the humble of spirit.  Another commonality we found was how love could be so near yet feel or be so far away.  That's one of the toughest aspects of this fallen world--not always feeling the nearness of God.  And is there a greater joy than when we suddenly feel His proximity--and realize He was there all along?

Burning Love--love that lights from within . . . 

Here are the three we picked—and these we even had to shuffle about before finally deciding. 

Third Place:  George Parler

 I stand on the edge, eyes closed;
The constellation of your face
Lingers among the stars,
Moonlight dances on ocean waves.
You are absent and present;
You are far away; you are near

Raise your hand into the breeze,
Feel my heart beat against the wind.
The air around me becomes your fragrance,
You are breath, my life’s breath.
My purest thoughts feel you.

My dreams reach for you.
Their pleas stir my slumber;
How long can we endure?
My flesh rises in rebellion;
My soul weeps; I am broken.

I rise before the sun;
Standing on the edge, I wait.
The horizon parts from the darkness;
The light floods my face.

But the day calls its demand;
I feel you slip away from me.
Soon I will come to you, my love,
You are far away; you are near.

Second Place:  Ann Nelson

I’ll never forget the day we adopted Sabrina, a beautiful five- year old with blonde curls.  We were giddy with joy!  It was raining, but there was sunshine in our hearts.    Later, we cried.  The transition caused our little girl to act out in five hundred awful ways.  “Be patient.” they told us—“It can take six months for her to adjust”’.    Nothing could have prepared us for her rebellious, destructive tantrums of anxious fear!  I finally understood what a friend had told me earlier, about how post-adoption stresses can threaten to tear apart a marriage.   We didn’t know what to do—we couldn’t send her back!!    After a year of absolutely adoring, yet one-sided love, our hopes were finally rewarded.

Yesterday, for the first time, Sabrina looked up at us and gently wagged her tail.

First Place:  Pat Guy

He woke every morning around six or six-thirty . . . without fail.

And without fail, he always reached out and touched the face of his love, “Good morning Carolyn.”

He’d get up and walk toward the old-fashioned Christmas tree while rubbing his eyes to see the same steps he took for years, then bent down to flip the switch because she loved the twinkling lights. It pleased her so.

Eggs, grits, toast and coffee was their ‘breakfast special’ and the menu never wavered.

But, he needed only one tray now . . . alone with her smiles everywhere, and her lights.

Until their anniversary this year.

He wasn’t sure, but he wondered if plans for him were beginning to change.

And not soon after, he closed his eyes and woke to see her face.

Her smile . . . brighter than any light . . .

Congratulations Pat, Ann, and George!!!  

The two random winners are #7 and #14.  Congrats to Donna and Minda!  Now we have to deliberate on prizes—stay tuned!  Most importantly, though, we're really hoping no one leaves here disappointed.  Where there's love, who can lose????

With an immense amount of love for each of you,

Plus thankfulness for your participation, 

xoxoxo

Lisa and Maddie