Enigma / by maureen maniquis

young beard days.JPG

I know a man whose heart I have shared for the better half of my life.  I think we felt our first inkling of love sitting on a rooftop looking up at the sky and talking philosophy and the meaning of life.  So young, with a wide world spread out before us and a whole lot of wonder in our eyes.  We would walk in the hilly woods as the Fall leaves shed their splendor all around us and the cool air drew us to embrace each other’s warmth.  There was so much beauty.  Surrounded by nature’s glory and the mystery of love as it begins its knitting together of two souls. 

 Have you ever really thought about what an enigma love is?  Putting aside the Hallmark niceties and the over-used slogans, can you explain the powerful draw that binds two so deeply?  I’m not talking about sexual attraction, although that is part of the beauty, but the soul, the deep essence of who we are, is quite a mysterious phenomenon.  And yet, that is part of what makes it so beautiful.  The unknown seeking to be known. 

 These memories are as clear as the crisp air we drew into out lungs---refreshing, invigorating and life-giving.  But, the best part about memories is that we are always making new ones.  Every day is a deposit in the soil of a lifetime still being fertilized, nurtured, growing.  True love doesn’t die unless its neglected.  It’s meant to flourish.  It’s meant to be a mystery of ever discovering.  That’s part of the key. 

 I’m still curious about this man.  I’m still discovering.  We humans are not static beings.  The day in and day out rubs up against us and always changes us a bit.  Like the Fall leaves as they shed their splendor, our seasons of love can change and shift us.  But, we know the trees aren’t dying they’re just changing a bit.  Something new is in the works.   The unknown is still seeking to be known. 

Those inklings have been carefully cultivated and dare I say “matured” over the years.  We don’t often climb out onto the rooftop anymore, we don’t want to break any bones ;-), but we are still talking about the meaning of life and our eyes are still wide with wonder.  But this knitting, it’s been stitched so tight by the Author of Love whom, though mysterious, seeks to be known. 

 He wants to knit us to Himself.  Our worldly love is a gift, a manifestation of a deeper love that unlocks some of the enigmas of this life.  I want to know more.  I’m curious.  Are you?

 “This is what the Scriptures mean when they say, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.”        1 Corinthians 2:10 NLT