We Love Because God First Loved Us

I don’t watch many Hallmark movies, but I was glad I saw The Magic of Ordinary Days. Set during World War II, it tells the story of Livy, a Denver minister’s unmarried daughter, who becomes pregnant by a Navy lieutenant.

Livy’s embarrassed father sends her to a small, rural Colorado town to marry Ray, a young farmer who compassionately agrees to marry Livy without even meeting her. The young couple are very different. Not particularly religious, Livy studied archaeology in graduate school until recently and misses the big city.

Ray is a quiet, kind, hardworking man of deep faith, who demands nothing and tells Livy he’d do anything to make her happy. He has indoor plumbing installed in his old farmhouse, teaches her to drive his truck, and reads books on archaeology to be able to talk about things she enjoys. When she mentions liking to swim, he rents a backhoe and digs a swimming hole.

But Livy plans to return to Denver and writes letters to the lieutenant for months, which are unanswered until Ray brings a letter from the post office addressed to Livy using her maiden name. In it, the lieutenant denies the baby is his. Although hurt, Ray remains just as kind and giving.

During their Thanksgiving dinner, Ray’s family shares their blessings. When it’s her turn, Livy says, “I’ve learned more about love in my six months with this family than I did in the 25 years in my father’s house.”

Although Livy has grown to care for Ray, she feels guilty for hurting him and plans to leave. Ray tries to dissuade her, telling her he loves her and her unborn baby. He gives her his mother’s ring, which he forgot the day they were married. But Livy says she doesn’t deserve him and doesn’t think it would work.

When Ray replies, “I know because someday you’re going to forgive yourself,” Livy accepts the ring, and they share their first kiss. In the final scene a year later, Livy, Ray, and their young son are setting out on an adventure to hunt for Indian arrowheads and other historic artifacts.

As Christian women, we often find ourselves struggling to fully accept the depth of God's unconditional love. Like Livy, we can be burdened by guilt and feel unworthy of such boundless grace. But just as Ray’s steadfast love remained unshaken, God's love for us is unwavering and eternal.

Let's remind ourselves that His grace is indeed too good not to be true. In our moments of doubt, may we turn to God, embracing His infinite love and allowing it to transform our hearts and lives.