Valentine

What a great holiday is Valentine's Day!  A chance to really focus on the one(s) you love and those who love you mostly in all the world!  This morning the pastor in the worship service spoke about God's indescribable love for us.  Of course, He is above all others as our soul-lover, and the model we look to in order to know unconditional love.  God's gift to us, Jesus, is as the Southern Gospel song says, "above all words and beyond all things - Jesus is above and beyond!"  God, the Father, gave Him to die for us that all believers could live - how's that for a Valentine gift!  No roses or candy or diamond can top that!!  What a romantic - One who gives and gives and has unlimited resources - and all He asks in return is that we love Him!

Of course, we as humans (read: women) need something(s) and someone(s) to hold and look at in person; and God knew that so He did give us real life Valentines.  Thank you, thank you, thank you for the loves in my life. 

(1) In addition to my Heavenly Father, I have an earthly father who loves me even though I haven't always been the daughter (to either one) that I should be.  I love remembering the story Mama used to tell me of how he came into the hospital room after I was born and had seen me in the nursery - huge grin on his face, so happy with a baby girl.  I can see it now, making me smile too. 

(2) In the sermon this morning, above mentioned pastor asked if we could remember the moment we saw our spouses, the time we knew he/she was the one, and the times leading up to and including our wedding.  I do remember the very minute I first saw Paul and wanted to get to know him, then our first date and knowing that he was the one I would marry.  I absolutely know God put us together and the most vivid memory of my wedding is this one: when Daddy was walking me down the aisle I was looking around and thinking, "this is exactly what I've always wanted."  That included the dress, the church, my one attendant (Mama), and the groom/love/life partner that God had led me to.  Now, 27+ years later, I still feel he's the one and I love our life together. 

(3) As if that weren't enough, I was blessed with a baby boy - now a young man with his own wife - to love.  How great is our God?!  I guess a child is the closest we will come to God's unconditional love.  That's all they know: love and giving love.  I wish I could capture that innocent charming love to recall when I don't feel quite so loving and giving.

Happy Valentine's Day to all my friends and loved ones!