When February arrives, our thoughts turn to love.
My husband was the master of gifting. When Valentine’s Day arrived, I not only received gorgeous roses, but a box of candies also was on the table. Far more than most wives were blessed with, even these gifts weren’t enough for Steve. Jewelry or some item he knew I would enjoy was gift-wrapped for me, accompanied by a card with a handwritten romantic message. I was blessed far more than I deserved. Many men, although they love their wives, just didn’t get the romantic gene.
A friend of mine lived vicariously through me on Valentine’s Day. “What did that romantic man do for you this year?” she would ask. I was reluctant to share my blessings with her because I knew her sweet husband didn’t have a thread of romance in him. If he thought to get her something, it usually came with a guarantee — a hand mixer from Dollar General, a battery for her lawn mower or maybe a pair of yard gloves.
Truest expressions
She hinted for many years how nice it would be to get flowers. He didn’t get it. Finally, she just told him she would appreciate flowers. One Feb. 14, he was driving home from work empty-handed just as he passed a flower outlet that sold nothing but artificial flowers in loose stems. He quickly turned around and went in. He walked through picking up one of every color he liked. So proud of himself, he walked in the door at home with a huge smile on his face, holding those mismatched stems. My friend said her heart sank when she saw his idea of a bouquet, but she couldn’t let it show because he was so pleased he had remembered.
How do you say, “I love you” to your loved ones and to the Lord? Some people can pray eloquently, telling God how much they love Him, while others don’t seem to have the right words. There was a lady in a rural community who came to know the Lord. She heard different people testify in the little country church where she was saved. With her heart full of gratitude for her salvation, she stood and testified, “I love the Lord. I love the Lord more than anything.” She paused, wanting to be truthful, and added, “unless it’s about a half-grown fried rabbit.”
Although it was an unorthodox expression, she was more truthful than many of us. How do you say, “I love you, Lord.” May our hearts overflow with our love for Him, but may we be as truthful as this lady was.
Share with others: