Welcome to today's encouragement from our daily bread.

I'm Wyn Cawyer, and I wrote today's piece, Love as Strong as Death.

If you were to stroll along the old brick wall stretching between the Protestant and Catholic

graveyards in Rourmont, Netherlands.

You discover a curious sight.

On each side, flush against the wall stands two identical towering headstones, one for a

Protestant husband, and one for his Catholic wife.

Cultural rules during the 19th century require they be buried in separate cemeteries.

They wouldn't accept their fate, however.

Their unusual headstones are high enough to reach above the fenced obstruction,

so that at the top there's only about a foot

or two of air separating them. Atop each, a sculptured arm reaches out to the other, each clasping

the other's hand. The couple refused to be separated, even in death.

The Song of Songs explains love's power.

Love is as strong as death, Solomon says.

It's jealousy unyielding as the grave.

True love is powerful, ferocious.

It burns like a blazing fire.

True love never surrenders, won't be silenced, and can't be destroyed.

Many waters cannot quench love, right Solomon.

Rivers cannot sweep it away.

God is love.

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