For those of you who have read my past couple of blog's, you know that I have what I am sure many would consider a movie addiction. It's an escape - a place where life and the battle stop for a little while and I can recharge.  Recently, I was looking for some information on the Internet concerning a particular movie reference that I was going to use to blog about when I can across a quote from Martin Luther King Jr.  As I had the day off today in remembrance of this great man, it seemed only fitting that I use this quote from him in this blog and abandon what I was originally going to do.

I don't know for sure when he said this or what the context of the speech was about, I just know that he is credited for saying the following...

"Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that."

Given what I know about this man and his battles, I would have to assume that the intent behind his words had something to do with the fact that a life which rejects the truth is perpetuated with lies while the life which seeks the truth finds love.  Real love - genuine love.  A kind of love that transcends all barriers.  I may be wrong but it seems to fit.  Recently, I have been thinking about how this applies to me, my life and my battles. I came up with several areas in which I could apply these words of wisdom but none seem more applicable than the battle I am, and have been, engaged in for my wife Marcy.

Marcy is a chronic trauma survivor - she would argue about the survivor part.  Now, I don't know how any of you would define it but to me, someone who is still engaged in the battle is a survivor in my book.  Without giving too much away as it isn't really my story to tell, the battle has been a difficult one.  There have been several attempts by the evil one to take her, and me for that matter, out along the way but through the precious blood of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, we are still here and still fighting.  In all honesty, there are times in which she is amazed that I am still here and still fighting this battle with and for her.  It is always something of a surprise for me to hear her say that and how lucky and fortunate that she is because frankly, I can't image a situation in which I wouldn't be fighting right along with her.  While I am sure that her genuine surprise has much to do with where she has been and the trauma in her past, all I know is that this battle is not only an important one but one that I have been called to enter in.

Several years ago, I memorized 1 Corinthians 13 - not just a section but the whole thing.  Because of the way in which I memorized it, I am not really sure what verse this is, all I know is that it is somewhere in that chapter.

"Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices in the truth."

I love my wife.  She is not only my best friend, but one of the coolest people that I have ever met.  Her story is proof that God's grace, love and mercy are all around us.  I also think, no I believe, that God brings people into our life to enter into the battle with us just when we need it the most.  See for me, it isn't about the baggage that Marcy brought into the relationship with her, it is about my love for her.  Don't get me wrong - it is difficult sometimes when she is caught up in a lie the evil one has gotten her to believe based on her past.  But ultimately, God's truth wins.  During those times in which she can see the lie for what it is - well, those are the times that God's love for her through me shine the brightest.  During those times, I get to experience, through my wife's eyes, the kind of love that I believe Dr. King and the Apostle Paul were talking about.

Your brother in Christ,

Jim