In this week, majority of us will be celebrating Valentine’s
Day. For some, it is a painful reminder that they are single. Yet others will
feel the pain of love lost or love not received. Either way, the pain is real.
Let me share with you a truth we can all live by, not only
this week, but every week. The Apostle John summed it up well in 1 John 4:7-10.
To sum it up, we love Him because He first loved us. Simple and to the point.
God showered us in love first when we did not deserve it. So much love that He
sent His Son to be the covering for our sins. His Son, Jesus, went all the way
to the cross for each and every one of us. That’s love. That’s sacrificial love.
Giving of one’s all and expecting nothing in return. God’s love did whatever
was necessary to bring us into His righteousness. That is love.
Let me share with you a story that may help to bring a tad
bit more clarity to what I am sharing.
“There was this 2nd grade boy who was smaller
than the rest of his classmates and not as coordinated. Often he was made fun
of and dismissed during games and recess activities. It grieved his mother’s
heart. She knew he had a heart of gold and was always there to encourage anyone
who was in need. She asked herself, ‘Why can’t the other children see his love
and accept him? Why must they always reject him and push him aside?’ This upcoming
Friday was Valentine’s Day. The mom seriously contemplated keeping her son out
of class that day, so as to spare him any hurt because of not receiving cards
or being a part of the activities for the day. His father stopped and prayed
for his son. He prayed for his wife. Knowing that there may be pain and heartache,
both the father and mother made the decision that their son would go to school
that Friday. The boy was excited and eager to get going on his Valentine’s
cards for each of his classmates. He spent hours hand making each and every
one. He made sure to correctly spell each name and to add something special
about each classmate. He carefully placed them all in his backpack the night
before. His joy for the next day made it hard for him to sleep.
The next afternoon, after school, his mother was there to
pick him up. She prayed silently as he approached the car. Her heart was in
knots for her son. As he slipped into the back seat, she asked him how his day
went. She caught her breath as she listened to his response, ‘Not one. Not one…’
She felt tears welling up in her eyes but those soon turned to joy as he
finished his sentence. ‘Not one of my classmates did I forget!! I remembered
each and every one of them! I love Valentine’s Day!’”
What are we doing to show Christ’s love this week? Are we
waiting on someone else to bring you love or should you shake it off and be the
one bringing love to another?
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