Oh, I yearn so much to hear wonderful stories of love conquering over the modern day struggles that persons face in their lives. Maybe I am a romantic seeking a thrill where there is none.

Recently, I came across an interesting story that speaks volumes to the notion of love. Sacrifices play a part in order for love to be true to itself. It is a story of a young Soldier who had been court-martialed for a severe offense. He was committed and sentenced to death. He was to be shot at the 'ringing of the curfew bell.' His young and beautiful fiancée climbed up into the bell tower several hours before the curfew time and tied herself to the huge piece of metal inside the bell that strikes its sides to make it ring, commonly called the clapper.

At curfew time, when only muted sounds came out the bell tower, Sir Cromwell inquired as to why the bell was not ringing. His Soldiers went to investigate and found the young woman plastered against the interior of the bell and bleeding profusely from being knocked back and forth against the great bell.

They untied her, lowered her down, and brought her to Cromwell on a makeshift stretcher. He was so impressed with her willingness to suffer so much on behalf of someone she loved, that he let the Soldier go free, saying, "Curfew shall not ring tonight."

That is love.

As a chaplain for the last eight years or so, I have been privy to enter into the lives of so many through their stories, most of them sad, some even outrageous and horrendous, but at times I get to celebrate with some. They share with me their wonderful stories, while they allow me to sit front row and participate in their joy. That gives me some balance as I counsel continuously with Soldiers and Families and it makes my work uniquely rewarding.

I have witnessed so many accounts of the perils of love on the altar of selfishness that at times, except for the love and grace of the living God, I could get discouraged.

Love is such a commodity in these modern times. I mean, how many times "Curfew would not ring tonight" if only one party would be willing to give in a little, move over and let the other be right for a change.

Love and sacrifice are not diametrically opposed to each other. At times, even the best of marriages experience periods of turmoil when one party refuses to be reasonable and show understanding. At other times, circumstances would embed themselves in marital lives and only sacrifices by one or both parties would save the marriage. These are the fogs of marital life.

But there is one available template for all to use and pattern their love for others that will surely alleviate many heartaches and mitigate many sorrows of marital life. There is no patent pending. It can be used and tailored according to the user's wishes. It is and remains God's love for humanity. A love that does not change. A love that knows no bound. A love that says "yes" today and "yes tomorrow. A love that endures and conquers all things. A love that never fails.

After all no one, to my limited knowledge and experience, has ever gone to school to be a good and decent husband, or learn to be a great and wonderful wife. However, when God's love is inserted in any marital situation, human love cannot but be better, stronger, and more resilient than ever. It provides strong and abiding reinforcement to the strands of human love and solidifies the covenant relationship between a husband and a wife.

So how do we appropriate this love that is patient and kind? How do we get this love that is not self-seeking and not easily angered? The answer is as follows: It cannot be bought. It cannot be usurped. It is through prayer and much prayer. It will not be here in the morrow after praying tonight. It will not be 'Fedexed' overnight. But it is worth pursuing.

Scriptures invite us to ask God that which we need for our lives on this side of eternity. It involves a turning toward the Divine wholly and unconditionally. It is not an invitation for a party to become the doormat of the other. It is not synonymous to living in a dangerous relationship where one's life is threatened. It is a total reorganization of one's understanding of the self and the other, in light of God's love. It is immersing oneself and losing oneself in God's love in order to find the self fully mature and giving, ready to lay one's life for the other. Then, this love rejoices with the truth. It will always protect, always trust, always hope, and always persevere. For it is God's love shared with humanity, for humanity, for you and me. Thanks be to God!