How's Your Love Life?

As we fast approach the much celebrated secular holiday of Valentine's Day, I felt led to share concerning this special day for some, and dreaded day for others. Often times, it is a special day for some, because of the expectations that come with the day: expressions of love from one's loved one; planned one on one time with that "special someone"; and hopes of engagement for others.

It is a dreaded day for others because of the perceived stigma of "not" having a "special someone"; no expressions of love from the opposite sex; and the deflated hope of getting engaged...this time!

When I was growing up, I recall getting and giving "Valentine's hearts" to the special someones in my life. "Will you be my Valentine"? was the question of the hour. Even our six year old special needs son, MJ, was scheduled to go on a field trip with his class this week, to mail their Valentine's Day card at the post office. Oh how we get excited about this annual "love day"!

Nevertheless, in light of all of the warm and fuzzies that many of us feel surrounding this special holiday, my question emphatically to you is, "How's Your Love Life?" I Corinthians 13, verse 2 states, "If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing".

In other words, my "love life" doesn't get any deeper that my "love relationship" that is borne as a result of the sacrificial love that the Father showed towards me through His Son Jesus. In fact, the scripture (verse 3) goes on to state that "if we do not have love, it profits us nothing". paraphrased.

Wouldn't it be great if we gave "Valentine's Day" a new meaning? Wouldn't it be enriching to our soul if we reflected on that day about God's never-ending love towards us? His love for us is always there, whether we are in touch with it or not.

I experienced His never-ending love in a new way on this week. Our son, MJ, had developed a cough and temperature at school on Wednesday. After picking him up and taking him to the doctor, he still continued to worsen after getting home. While he was lying in his bed, I was sitting at his bedside, watching and praying over him. I noticed that his body appeared to stretch out and his eyes became glazed and frozen. After a few seconds, his body became limp and he slumped over in the bed and began to drool at the mouth. I immediately knew that "something" was terribly wrong.

I called to my husband who rushed to his room, and I then called 911. Soon thereafter, the paramedics (and the entire fire, police and medic entourage) were at our door and crowding his room. He was given oxygen until he was responsive again, and we were told that he had experienced a febrile seizure as a result of his high temperature.

What is my point? In those 15-20 minutes that seemed like a lifetime, I was in touch with the fact that I HAD to draw from the love of the Father, as I watched these unfamiliar people attempt to care for my only begotten son. In my distress, there was a part of me that remembered, God's love "never fails", and I had to trust that His lovingkindness would pour out on me and especially on MJ, to spare his little life.

I am grateful to God that His loving grace was sufficient for MJ. I am grateful to God that his loving grace was sufficient to sustain me. I am grateful to God that He allowed me the insight to recognize His hand, and His hand only.

God is so good to us! His love is everlasting! And if we are to be like Him, then we must dispense the same kind of love (agape) to one another.

This Valentine's Day, ask yourself, "how's MY love life". Then ask the Lord how you can take your "love walk" to another level. "We love, because He first loved us". I John 4:19 HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!


I NEED A WORD


John 13:34 - "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another".
Lord, help me to be a dispenser of love, as you shower your love upon me, day after day.