Scripture
When Jacob saw Rachel the daughter of Laban his mother’s brother, and the sheep of Laban his mother’s brother, Jacob went up and rolled the stone from the mouth of the well and watered the flock of Laban his mother’s brother. Then Jacob kissed Rachel, and lifted his voice and wept.  Genesis 29:10-11

Observation
Jacob and Rebecca is like a romance from a western. Jacob has just arrived at the corral. There’s no water in these parts for critters. Just to be sure none is wasted, a heavy boulder is placed over the mouth of the well. It’s too heavy for a woman. It takes several men to move it. No one is allowed to open the well until all the riders and their livestock are rounded up.

But then love breaks in. Rebecca spies Jacob. Jacob fancies Rebecca. It’s more than romance, it’s relief. Jacob had been on the run from his brother Esau for weeks. The sight of a friendly face was like aloe vera to the sunburnt soul.

See Jacob’s big, brawny arms wrestle the boulder free. Powered by romance, he is able to open the well single handed. That was a love story told many times over in the years to come. The day when a cowboy from far away rescued a cowgirl with one macho act.

Application
I like the fact that there is romance in the Bible. This story is there for a reason, if for no other reason than to tell us that we can achieve great things when we know that we feel love. It asks of me, how much do I allow the love of my wife affect my work? How much do I give love to others so they will prosper?

Prayer
Father, romance my soul to follow you. Amen.