A Timeless Love

by Shanel

His relationship with God was unshakeable.

Why would I ever want to make the prettiest girl in the world frown instead of smile?”

I guess you might as well just marry me now, that way you can stop wasting your time.”

All those blessings that you keep getting…you think that’s by chance?”

You know where your help comes from, so don’t forget about the one who provides it, aight?”

You are my life, so nothing else matters right now. I’m here, and I’m not going anywhere. We are going to get through this.”

Having to be strong for someone that you love was hard. It took a lot to maintain a face of bravery, especially when it wasn’t something that you truly felt.

What words can you say to a man who is facing the biggest battle of his life? What prayers can you send up to Heaven that he hasn’t already said himself? What support can you lend when you feel like you’re going to fall apart as well?

as much as we want to control our lives and what goes on around us, we all know that we can’t. God is in control. He holds the whole world in His hands, remember?

I had to get to a place where I felt like God had it all worked out, but right now, I just wasn’t there.

‘Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.’

“I want to start by saying that every single one of us is going to face burdens. The Bible says that if we want to reign with Him, we have to suffer with Him. Life ain’t gone be easy, and especially for a Christian. You can believe that you will see trials and tribulations, but what makes it alright is that we know a man who already saw it coming. He was already prepared for whatever was coming our way. Ain’t nothing catching him off guard, you understand what I’m saying to you?”

God was always in control.

When we couldn’t understand why he chose to allow certain things, we had to remember that no matter what, He knew His plan.

sometimes you have to walk away in order to appreciate what you had.”

“You know…if I had my way, you would have been mine a long time ago.”

More prepared for life and love…but, maybe our time had passed. Maybe we missed our chance.

You have to have a relationship with Him, and trust that no matter what comes, He will never forsake us.

“I get tired, but the Bible says not to get weary in well doing.

I have to protect my peace.”

There was so much world to see, and so many things to experience.

“I don’t wanna die, you know? I don’t wanna leave my parents. I don’t wanna leave you, but I don’t know how to fight this. I’m so damn scared.”

“I love you, Kendrick,” I whispered, my eyes still closed. “I love you more.” And just like that, we fell asleep. His head in my lap, my fingers in his scalp, and my heart wrapped up in his.

I know attraction when I see it. Don’t let it slip away again, you hear?”

time isn’t on our side, and we need to take advantage of what we have, and enjoy the people in our lives.

That was a mistake. I should have answered the phone.

“You know what I’m going through, and I want it to be clear that I won’t always have good days. I’m anticipating some real bad days coming up, and if it ever becomes too much for you, then you have to tell me. I won’t let you suffer with me. If you need to walk away, then do that, Abigail. Do not tie yourself to my cancer. It’s my battle, do you understand?”

“Please, just…can we just be together? No questioning or making exceptions. Just you and I, seeing what this could be. I don’t want to beg you, Kendrick, but I feel like I’m really close to falling to my knees and asking you to let me love you.”

“Yeah, we can be together, Abby. I can’t think of anything else in my life that I would want more than to tell the world that you’re mine.”

I was going to give him all of me, and I had no doubt that he would cherish it with his whole heart.

God hadn’t forgotten about me, and this whole time, He was just waiting for me.

In one fell swoop, he had changed my life, and I was so grateful that I listened to my heart.

“Nah, I don’t think you get it. I used to dream about this, imagining you walking towards me in a white dress, your hair done all nice, and that smile…that smile that stops my heart, staring back at me. There’s no way I won’t be waiting for you to meet me at the end of the aisle on Saturday.”

I cried over everything.

I’m dying, Abigail, but I don’t have memory loss.”

“You gotta pray, baby. Without God, you won’t be able to do anything, you understand?”

“The kind of love that I’ve always had for you is so deep. It’s beyond this earth. I’m still trying to find the right word to describe it because the word love just doesn’t do it justice. The thing is, being married to you has been the greatest honor of my life. I know that’s what you said to me, but the truth is, it’s the other way around. Having the privilege of being able to carry your last name, as well as your child…nothing will ever compare to that.”

Be patient, baby, and I promise you gone end up with everything you ever dreamt of.”

Let’s just focus on each day God gives us together.”

There’s never been any other woman that I wanted to carry my kids but you, but it still blows my mind that we made it here.

Being around her isn’t a requirement, alright?”

Kendrick was going to die.

You will respect me, and you will talk to me like you have some sense.

Hate me all you want, but you would be best to keep those feelings hidden.

Don’t forget to smile every now and then, and when you laugh, laugh from your gut. Make it count. Love again someday.

Stay close to God. Never allow yourself to drift away from Him again. I promise, without Him, you will not make it in this world. He is your anchor, and there isn’t anything He can’t do for you.

Love was a tricky thing. It was the one thing that we all spent our entire lives searching for, never knowing where it will come from, and when it will be gone. Even with all the unknowns, nothing deters us from wanting it for ourselves.

The kind of love that I found wasn’t short-lived or limited. It was for a lifetime.

I was gonna make myself proud.

Losing someone you love is always hard, but watching them die is something that stays with you forever.