Romance

Does romance play a role in a relationship? What exactly is romance? And once defined, does it have us act in ways that is in accordance with God's will for us?

I'm asking these questions because after finishing Passion and Purity, something struck me about the whole relationship of Elizabeth and Jim Elliot. Even though it was long distance (which is a key point because it debunks the thought in my mind that romance couldn't be possible in a long distance relationship), it was filled with, well, passion AND purity. And the fact that those two could essentially co-exist in a pre-marital relationship (of course, co-exist not necessarily means harmony all the time but for the most part, it was in harmony) surprised me...albeit a pleasant surprise. I guess that would be what I would call a romance or romantic...when there's passion and purity entertwined...it becomes something absolutely breathtakingly beautiful.

Cause purity without passion can seem so cold...legalistic. It loses it's purpose, really. The way I see it, passion motivates that desire for purity, it would seem. For why would you want to keep pure if there's really no passion that you need to keep in check? I hope people get what I'm trying to say here...

As for if it's all passion and no purity, well it becomes almost dirty and undignified...Something that loses its value. In a sense, I don't want passion that hasn't been tried and true if you get what I mean...

So why did that point jump out at me about Elizabeth and Jim's relationship? Because for whatever reason, I used to think in my head that passion in a relationship was wrong. sinful. I rarely saw it displayed in a godly, healthy way in a relationship so I thought to myself, "Jess, you better just stay away from that stuff...It's like playing with fire cause you don't know what you're dealing with"

But recently, after reading the book, I've slowly recognized that it's not wrong and that I do have this desire within me for romance. For something romantic to be in my relationship. A desire to be swept off of my feet...for the butterflies in the stomach kind of feelings...of course not constantly but you know, once in awhile...

I know that God has done that to me on multiple occasions and multiple times in my life. I've read books like Captivating and Do You Think I'm Beautiful?...It's not as if I'm not satisfied with God's love and romance...This is something totally different. It's not like I haven't found satisfaction in God's love so I'm just looking for affirmation elsewhere...no, it's not like that.

I kinda see that as a different desire and put that in a totally separate category from what I'm feeling right now.

It's interesting...and I don't know if people know what I'm describing....

Bottom line? More romance would be nice even though i don't need it. It would be such a blessing and a gift...