Song of Songs 8:6, 7
Place me like a seal over your heart, 
like a seal on your arm. 
For love is as strong as death, 
its jealousy as enduring as the grave. 
Love flashes like fire, 
the brightest kind of flame. 
Many waters cannot quench love, 
nor can rivers drown it. 
If a man tried to buy love with all his wealth, 
his offer would be utterly scorned. (NLT)

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I was a young pastor in my early thirties when I inherited a Sunday School class formerly taught by the superintendent of schools who took another position in another district. The class was proud of their status as a group of misfits. They didn’t feel like they fit in normal classes and groups. 

Most of the group were anywhere from early retirement to one foot in the grave.  They did not take themselves seriously, and they had more fun than any other class. Their habit was to study the Bible one book at a time in canonical order. As you may have guessed, we eventually arrived at the Song of Songs. Yes, I had the distinct pleasure of talking about intimate poetry with people old enough to be my grandparents. 

We conquered this book in one lesson.

Consistent with the nature of the class, the group was highly entertained by my discomfort with the subject matter. We were halfway through the lesson when one of the senior saints, a rather proper woman, said what the whole class agreed with: “Preacher, we’ve all been there and done that. We’re not nearly as embarrassed about this as you are. Settle down, Son. It’s going to be all right.”

We all shared a good laugh at my embarrassment. 

It was as if a veil had been lifted from my eyes. I saw these friends for the people they were when they were my age. I saw them for who they were after decades of marriage, and after some of them had lost their lovers to death. Their knowing and contented smiles bore the demeanor of love’s lingering memories treasured over a lifetime.

We live in a world consumed by sex. I stood in a room consumed by love. The difference could not have been more stark. 

Sometimes, the class teaches the lesson to the teacher. I am forever grateful for that room full of joyful, loving misfits. They taught me lessons I am only now beginning to fully understand. 

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I will help others understand the deep satisfaction of love lasting a lifetime. 

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Our Father, thank you for that room full of smiles that day. Thank you for that man who was once a young stud, well-groomed and well-regarded by his lady. Thank you for that woman who was once a beauty on par with the stars of stage and screen. Thank you for that cantankerous woman who didn’t mind putting me in my place and teaching me how to laugh at my embarrassment. Thank you for experience over passion, depth over intrigue, and tenderness over excitement. Please continue teaching me how to love with a pure heart and clean hands. Amen.