Love: I have the best Valentine a girl could ask for!
Pretty perfect day to write this week’s blog on LOVE considering it is the day all
devoted towards it.
For some, this is a dreaded holiday, one of reminding people they do
not have a significant other, while others celebrate the day with chocolates,
flowers, and romantic candlelight; some do so significant other or not. Truthfully,
I used to hate it; calling it as many do, the “Hallmark Holiday” or
“Singles Awareness day”. I, however, have changed my mind about the
14th day of February. Why you ask? Is it because I have a boyfriend who is
going to buy me something shiny? Not so much.
But I do have a boyfriend who is not only romancing me today, but every
day. He kisses me good morning with a sunrise, serenades me throughout the day
with the chirping of birds or the soothing sound of rain on the window pane; greets
me as I walk out the door to my car with a rainbow; provides me with endless
flowers everywhere I look…not just one kind, He showers me with countless kinds, decorates my night sky with endless lights, has all
of the time in the world for me, He fully gets me and He spoils me like crazy.
My Man is the best man you could ever ask for. He loves me so incredibly well
that it makes me want to love others so much more than I ever could on my own.
I get to hold His hand when I hold the hand of an orphan girl in the
Philippines, or dances with me as I dance with the sweet girl in Haiti, or cuddle with him at night when I hold the crying girl in my lap
in Thailand who is scared of the new surroundings and the loud rolling thunder;
I get to see the power of His love when I see a hardened heart turn soft; in
the warmth that spreads over the gas attendant, homeless person, barista, or
stranger who receives a piece of candy and Valentine’s card telling them that
they are loved and even more so by God on this day celebrating love.
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This may make me sound like a tree hugging hippy to some of you, but
honestly, I am okay with that. Not only for the reason that it is how I feel
and want to share, but just as other girls get excited about their boyfriends
or husbands doing sweet things for them, I am excited to share what He does for
me and for you as well :).
Challenge of today and this week: To pay attention to the ways God is
blessing you and saying “I love you”. If it is creation, God sending
someone encourage you when you needed it most or Him loving you enough to send
someone to correct you when you needed it most; scripture, verses coming to
mind when you need them; finding that great parking spot when you are in a rush
and really needed it; hearing from an old friend unexpectantly ….whatever it
is, pay attention, recognize it, and thank Him for it. But the real challenge
is, to make this love complete by not just keeping it for yourself, but then
giving it to someone else. Find a $10 on the ground? Go buy someone in line
their coffee. Someone bless you with a bag of candy today? Give a piece to the
gas attendant, the clerk or whoever. Blessings are not meant to be selfishly
held onto, but are made complete once passed on to someone else.
So tangible challenge, today write down as many blessings as you can
think of and that you witness today that are from the Lord.
Have a wonderful day celebrating love!
(This tree is on my old drive home from work)
Happy Valentine’s Day!
