If only you were to me like a brother, who was nursed at my mother’s breasts! Then, if I found you outside, I would kiss you, and no one would despise me. – Song of Songs 8:1

Today’s Scripture Reading (May 2, 2013): Song of Songs 8

The honeymoon is over. That period of heightened expectancy and joy has finished. An anonymous writer once described the honeymoon as “the period between dating and debting” and that sums up the experience well. Growing up, I loved to go to the mountains and run over the trails and see the wildlife, but there was always the sure knowledge that at some point I was going to have to come off of the mountain and return to my normal life. And the problem with life is that even if we can stay on the mountain top, the experience does not stay there – if we do not come off of the mountain, the intense feeling of joy will slowly dissolve until we are left with this feeling that we call normal. Life has a way of seeping in – and that is one of the overwhelming reasons why every one of us needs to learn to deal with life.

The Song is coming to a close and we find the couple in this state of return to normalcy. Everything that has gone on before is now just a memory. It was fun, but the experience could not stay there. Solomon had other responsibilities, he could not just continue to journey around the countryside. We also know that he had other wives and concubines that expected some of his attention. And so Solomon was returning to them. But at the moment that we realize that the honeymoon is over, we go through a natural period of mourning.

The beloved of Solomon finds herself in this place of mourning. The honeymoon has ended, but now the king has moved back to his other responsibilities. If it were possible, she would walk up to the king and show him how much she cares for him – she would kiss him in front of his advisors and while he was walking the streets of his city, but that was not possible – in the culture in which she lived public displays of love, even between a husband and wife, were not allowed. Those moments were reserved for the private times of life – the times of life that would now be a rarity. But, if Solomon was her brother, then she could show love to him wherever he was. Public displays of affection between a brother and a sister were very acceptable – maybe even expected. And so this becomes her dream.

The phrase “the honeymoon is over” signals to us that the initial fire of romance will diminish over time. And we know the truth of that experience. The nature of all of our mountain top experiences changes, but they do not have to be gone forever. The bride in this passage reminds us that there is a passion that is developed over the honeymoon period that needs to be fed and revisited as the marriage progresses. It is part of what makes a healthy relationship – we need to keep bringing the honeymoon back.

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: 1 Kings 5

Personal Note:  Happy Birthday to my Brother in Law - Laurie.  Have a great day!