Valentine's Day is said to have been a remembrance of St. Valentine. He was sent to prison for proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ. While in prison he would write love notes to those on the outside. The notes encouraged others to also share their love and the love of God. It is a beautiful story.
The commercialization of Valentine's Day has disquised the love note into expensive, gifts, fancy flowers, over-indulgent candies and greeting cards. I admit it is not easy to write a love note. I am a writer, and I struggle to find the right words, so I understand the frantic rush to find just the right gift or card to say "I love you!" I also admit that for a short time the gift, flowers, candy or card does make us feel warm and loved. Maybe the bigger the gift the longer the feeling lasts, but a token of our love for someone can never replace the daily faithful loving expressions between true lovers.
Most T.V., movies, and commercials would have us believe that true love must be expressed by money spent. On this day after Valentine's Day I would have to say that the expression of love goes much deeper. Love can be simply expressed in the quiet moments sitting near by and enjoying the presence of love. It is the simple times of sharing your day and knowing the other person is really listening. It is being willing to step into the other persons' life, good and bad, and not walking away. It may not be easy to say "I love you," but it is simple. It is a simple choice to put the other person first.
Wonderful Loving God, You are high and lifted up! You deserve our love. You have every right to demand our attention and our devotion. You gave us Your Son and Valentine who loved Him enough to follow His example. They gave unselfishly to others. They put others first so that they might know they were loved. Thank You! Teach us, Lord to love simply. Fill us with Your Spirit of Love so that we might turn away from our selfish desires. Help us to love You as You deserve.
Showing posts with label valentines' day. Show all posts
Showing posts with label valentines' day. Show all posts
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Planting Seeds
Valentines Day is tomorrow and so I went to find a gift for my dear husband. He had mentioned that we could go buy some flowering plants to put in our front garden. Then I saw the seeds!
I am not a dig-in-the-dirt girl. I am not thrilled with getting dirt and muck under my fingernails. I don't enjoy the feel of soil running through my fingers. But my husband does. So I thought if I joined him in planting the pots that I bought we could have some memories to keep and cherish for this Valentines Day. I hope it will warm up just a little so we can plant without freezing my fingers as well as dirtying them!
Does my life plant the right kind of seeds in others lives? Do I bless others with flower seeds of encouragement, appreciation, and prayer? Do I offer vegetables rich with vitamins to others so that they will grow strong in faith, and become hungry for more of Christ? Am I scattering seed with expectation of harvest? Am I preparing with love and tenderness the soil in which my seed will land?
Father God, Sower and Harvester of souls for Your Kingdom, I want to join You in the work You have planned for me! I do not pretend to be a farmer or to know much about planting seeds, but I know that You are wise and will show me the way! Teach me to first of all allow You to plant in me! Then give me the seeds to invest in others!
I am not a dig-in-the-dirt girl. I am not thrilled with getting dirt and muck under my fingernails. I don't enjoy the feel of soil running through my fingers. But my husband does. So I thought if I joined him in planting the pots that I bought we could have some memories to keep and cherish for this Valentines Day. I hope it will warm up just a little so we can plant without freezing my fingers as well as dirtying them!
Does my life plant the right kind of seeds in others lives? Do I bless others with flower seeds of encouragement, appreciation, and prayer? Do I offer vegetables rich with vitamins to others so that they will grow strong in faith, and become hungry for more of Christ? Am I scattering seed with expectation of harvest? Am I preparing with love and tenderness the soil in which my seed will land?
Father God, Sower and Harvester of souls for Your Kingdom, I want to join You in the work You have planned for me! I do not pretend to be a farmer or to know much about planting seeds, but I know that You are wise and will show me the way! Teach me to first of all allow You to plant in me! Then give me the seeds to invest in others!
Friday, February 13, 2009
Anticipation
What do you expect from your loved ones on Valentines' Day? do you anticipate a romantic day filled with sweet words, scents and tastes? Or is your anticipation on of disappointments and loneliness?
The good news is that if you have the right attitude neither of the extremes will be your Valentine holiday. I say it is good news because February 14th is just another beautiful day given to us to love one another, but our love is not the fading love of notes, flowers and candies. It is the everlasting love of God. when we are part of the body of Christ our standard of loneliness is not the same as the world. We can celebrate a love holiday even if we do not have a "significant other. "
BTW who really wants to be or to have a "significant other?" I'd much rather have a friend, a honey, a lover, or some other tender hearted and touching title.
The bottom line is that whoever you meet tomorrow, you can share the love that is in your heart with them. February 14th is your day to offer love because you have been given the greatest of love in Christ Jesus!
Happy Valentines' Day!
The good news is that if you have the right attitude neither of the extremes will be your Valentine holiday. I say it is good news because February 14th is just another beautiful day given to us to love one another, but our love is not the fading love of notes, flowers and candies. It is the everlasting love of God. when we are part of the body of Christ our standard of loneliness is not the same as the world. We can celebrate a love holiday even if we do not have a "significant other. "
BTW who really wants to be or to have a "significant other?" I'd much rather have a friend, a honey, a lover, or some other tender hearted and touching title.
The bottom line is that whoever you meet tomorrow, you can share the love that is in your heart with them. February 14th is your day to offer love because you have been given the greatest of love in Christ Jesus!
Happy Valentines' Day!
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