Cultivating Romance

Last week I wrote about ‘Destroying Romance'. It was thoughts formed from Song of Solomon 2:15. There the emphasis was on the dangers of ‘little foxes’. Today, I follow on with another consideration on Romance from the same verse. The man, after giving the warning, goes on to refer to their lives as ‘vineyard in blossom’.

Now I’m not a reader of Romance (except what my wife has written). Therefore, all you Romance writers/readers may need to be gracious and forgiving as I express the following thoughts on ‘cultivating Romance’. Think about it. Strangers meet. There is an acceptance which develops into friendship. Something called ‘the chemistry of the heart’ begins its creative influence. It causes more appreciative looks at the other person and takes a boy and a girl into the field of romance. This is a delightful time, yet there are ‘rocks of uncertainty’ scattered in this field to be removed. As these are dealt with, the Romantics transform that field into a Lover’s vineyard.

It is wonderful to romp in the field of romance. Many unfortunately fail to turn it into a lover’s vineyard. Romance loses its appeal if it isn’t sown with fruit producing vines. No ‘grapes’ means no distilling of love’s intoxicating wine.

Romance should lead to cultivating its field and planting the vines to nourish lasting love. Time, meaning patience, is the essence. Mutual attention to detail and protection is the special domain called marriage. By calling this husband and wife union a ‘vineyard’ implies it’s a long term investment. As they cultivate their relationship, a special and unique boutique wine is brewed.

When a man and a woman consider the other in the marriage relationship as his/her vineyard a mindset develops. Each will guard the welfare, integrity and uniqueness of the other. They will guard their special ground as being greater than worldly pleasure or accumulating treasure. As each realises that truth personally the fruit of their relationship nourishes them. This is vital as together they face life’s fickle weather and the attempted inroads of predators. Such is the emotion behind the warning about little foxes.

 

Beware of little foxes’.

 Dearly beloved, dearly beloved, let us be on guard.

Little foxes, little foxes seek out our lovers ‘vineyard’.

Dearly beloved, dearly beloved watch o’er our romance.

Little foxes, little foxes want to spoil our lover’s dance.

 

Chase those little foxes from our lives.

Know them, seize them, cage their hides.

Beware that little fox called ‘taken for granted,’

Slay it with the spear of ‘love undaunted’.

 

Catch that little fox named ‘being spiteful’.

Overcome it with the dart of grace bountiful.

Other little foxes seek to enter in.

Debar with the sword that still slays sin.

 

Dearly beloved, dearly beloved let our romance thrive.

Little foxes, little foxes cannot, will not survive

Dearly beloved, dearly beloved our love’s devotion.

Little foxes, little foxes fear such intoxication.

 

Poems celebrating 50 years of marriage.
Available from Author or Wombat books, Qld.

Dedication and devotion see beyond the labour placed upon the man and the woman in developing and maintaining their love. Each enjoys the other in the ever changing periods of life. In so doing they taste the fruit and the wine which comes in due season. Romance leads to love but it isn’t meant to cease. Love’s ‘vineyard’ is meant to be where Romance fully blooms, is maintained, enjoyed and finds its fulfilment in senior years. Vintage wine is the result of good fruit being well distilled and carefully stored. That’s God’s intention for a man and a woman who enter the field of Romance and cultivate it according to His manual.

 ©Ray Hawkins 26.1.2015.

 

 

 

 

Destroyers of Romance

Romance is featured in the Bible. The story of Jacob and Rachel is a case in point. There is also a whole book, small yet precious, devoted to the Romance between a man and a woman. In the Song of Solomon the reader will enjoy all the elements which surround a good romance novel. There’s longing, intrigue, sadness, intimacy, separation and passion.

There is also insights, not greatly emphasised but present, which warn of dangers that erode Love’s romance. ‘Catch us the foxes, the little foxes, that ruin the vineyards – for our vineyards are in blossom’. (2:15 NRSV) This warning follows immediately after some very poetic and romantic words. The man likens their love to a vineyard in bloom meaning that the fruit will be appearing soon. However, don’t take love for granted. There are little foxes which can get into the vineyard of romance and damage, spoil and destroy the longed for fruit and its juice of joy.

The word for fox is also used for jackal, a very unclean scavenger. What do you imagine the writer is implying by using this term in regards to their love? It seems to be a warning to safeguard what they hold precious, their maturing love. He doesn’t spell out the dangers or give the ‘little foxes’ names. This allows us to reflect upon the comment and investigate what, if any, names we might give to ‘little foxes’ nibbling away at our special relationships.

I’d like to give them some names from the Scriptures emphasising the word ‘little’. Each of the following Biblical quotes have the power to steal the romance from love and simply leave a ‘shell’ of what was the substance of yesteryear. You might add to the litter’s list but I’ve limited mine to three. It is worth reminding ourselves however that little ‘foxes’ grow and have their offspring. Therefore, it is important to recognise and deal with such destroyers of romance, love and grace as soon as possible.

My first named fox/jackal is ‘sluggard’. This term is used 14 times in Proverbs for a person too lazy to attend to what is important and necessary. It is linked with the unkind definition of a fool. How easy it is to feel romantic. How easily it is to be aroused by sight, sound and scent. How hard it is to work at being romantic, making the loved one feel special and attractive. It is this ‘little fox’ of mental and spiritual ‘laziness’ which over time makes the relationship a wasteland.

My second named fox/jackal is ‘tongue’. James in his letter calls it ‘a little member’ but can cause catastrophic fires and instead of blessing it curses’. (chapter 3.) Our Lord says that the mouth speaks what the heart harbours. Romantic words are easily uttered in sweet surroundings. Unfortunately, relationships are not always living in such settings. In the rough and tumble of living we are often thrust together in situations which rub us up the wrong way. Oh, may our love for each other fight off the ‘foxes’ of selfishness and self–righteousness. They want to turn our speech into poison when what is needed is the wine of mercy and grace.

My third named fox/jackal is ‘Leaven’. Within Scripture leaven is a symbol for sin – always! In writing to the Galatians, the apostle Paul warns them against the power even of a little leaven. It swells. It corrupts. It is harmful to personal spirituality and the ability to honour and enjoy the Lord. We are told in the Galatian (5:9) context that it enslaves and thereby robs an infected person of their God designed freedom.

I’d define leaven by another term beginning with ‘L’. It is lust! How can two lovers be on their guard against this seemingly cute, attractive even emotionally arousing ‘little fox’? For once welcomed into the heart this jackal will prowl, pervert and pummel true romance and Love’s sanctity. The ‘leaven of Lust’ is so readily available and so easily digested we need a moral and spiritual sifting and protecting shield. Without Love's commitment to shield us from this little monster jackal otherwise lust will turn Romance into affairs and love into pornography.

What safeguards, what fences, what weapons have we to safeguard God given Romance and the sanctity of love? There is the grace of God who is holy and eternal Love. Dwelling in His light, possible by knowing and doing His word and will, offers a protective barrier. When ‘bitten’ by this or any other ‘little fox’ don’t deny the ‘teeth marks’. Rather admit and repent and remove yourself from their vicinity. Also, everyday in someway or other express gratitude to the person who captured your heart and has kept it ever since. Then you will continue to enjoy Love’s romance and its fruit and wine.




A 31 devotional to help keep the romance in marriage.
Available in Christian bookshops and as an e-book, or from author.

© Ray Hawkins 25/1/2015.