(John 13:34-35)
When I was a little girl my dad made holidays special for my sisters & I. The house was dominated by 3 girls and my mom. In those days Hallmarks was the benchmark. I could always count on my dad to bring something home that would make us feel special. We were not wealthy just rich in love!
So, on a day like Valentine’s Day he would remind us that we were loved, bring home a card that expressed that he was glad he was our dad and of course the famous chocolates. My mom’s heart was always distinctive. She was the Queen and we were the Princesses. Simple things saying, “I love you”.
I’m now in my fifties, married and thankful to God for all the expressions of love in my life. God is Good. During a day like Valentines we often hear, “so did you get chocolates”? If you are in a dating relationship it is almost expected lest you question the authenticity of love. That sounds ridiculous but we have been lured by our commercialized world to believe love can only be expressed by expensive trinkets. Don’t get me wrong, I like expressions of love, but I don’t want to pay for it for the next 3 months with an 18% interest rate.
So today was my date night with my husband. I was home sick and feeling tired. When he came home he had purchased some items at the store and put them on the counter. About two hours later I went into the kitchen and on the counter was a succulent cactus plant. It made me smile. I quickly went into the room thanked him for it. He remembered that I like cactus and purchased it for me. He began to tell me that when he went to pay for it the cashier said, “make sure you water it, it looks pretty bad”. Wow, a dead plant? Well, we laughed.
About now you are probably envisioning some scrawny, dried up cactus. But, it really was beautiful. I did water it and she is doing well. It’s the little things.
So, off to the movies we go. Today is bargain night so admission is only five dollars! As we are watching the previews I leaned over and said, “so what are we doing for Valentine’s Day”? He answered, “we are doing it right now”. To which I answered, “a dead plant and a $5 movie”. We laughed so hard I thought we were going to get shushed. Good thing the lights were out.
See it really is not about the cost. It’s about the simple things. Expressions of love can be expressed with a candy bar and a note that reads, “I love you”. Love speaks many languages. Love can be picking up the kids from school so mom (or dad) can take a nap. Love is a walk in the park, a pizza with a friend, or a vanilla shake with your daughter. Love is walking your neighbors dog or removing the snow from their driveway. The ordinary things become extraordinary when they are shared with the ones we love.
Love is always trying to express emotions, intentions and convictions.
When I was a little girl my dad made holidays special for my sisters & I. The house was dominated by 3 girls and my mom. In those days Hallmarks was the benchmark. I could always count on my dad to bring something home that would make us feel special. We were not wealthy just rich in love!
So, on a day like Valentine’s Day he would remind us that we were loved, bring home a card that expressed that he was glad he was our dad and of course the famous chocolates. My mom’s heart was always distinctive. She was the Queen and we were the Princesses. Simple things saying, “I love you”.
I’m now in my fifties, married and thankful to God for all the expressions of love in my life. God is Good. During a day like Valentines we often hear, “so did you get chocolates”? If you are in a dating relationship it is almost expected lest you question the authenticity of love. That sounds ridiculous but we have been lured by our commercialized world to believe love can only be expressed by expensive trinkets. Don’t get me wrong, I like expressions of love, but I don’t want to pay for it for the next 3 months with an 18% interest rate.
So today was my date night with my husband. I was home sick and feeling tired. When he came home he had purchased some items at the store and put them on the counter. About two hours later I went into the kitchen and on the counter was a succulent cactus plant. It made me smile. I quickly went into the room thanked him for it. He remembered that I like cactus and purchased it for me. He began to tell me that when he went to pay for it the cashier said, “make sure you water it, it looks pretty bad”. Wow, a dead plant? Well, we laughed.
About now you are probably envisioning some scrawny, dried up cactus. But, it really was beautiful. I did water it and she is doing well. It’s the little things.
So, off to the movies we go. Today is bargain night so admission is only five dollars! As we are watching the previews I leaned over and said, “so what are we doing for Valentine’s Day”? He answered, “we are doing it right now”. To which I answered, “a dead plant and a $5 movie”. We laughed so hard I thought we were going to get shushed. Good thing the lights were out.
See it really is not about the cost. It’s about the simple things. Expressions of love can be expressed with a candy bar and a note that reads, “I love you”. Love speaks many languages. Love can be picking up the kids from school so mom (or dad) can take a nap. Love is a walk in the park, a pizza with a friend, or a vanilla shake with your daughter. Love is walking your neighbors dog or removing the snow from their driveway. The ordinary things become extraordinary when they are shared with the ones we love.
Love is always trying to express emotions, intentions and convictions.
Mornings usually bring peaks of sunshine that slip through the window blinds in my kitchen. The sunlight hits the floor tiles. As I walk toward the coffee maker I can feel the warmth on the bottom of my feet. It’s just a small reminder from my Heavenly Father that he is thinking about me. Open the blinds and a new day begins. He’s made the sun to shine and it brings life all around me. Even my scrawny plant benefits from His expression of Love.
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34-35)
So, do it today. Share expressions of love with those that God has put in your path. It might be as simple as sending a text that reads, “Just wanted to let you know, I love you”. (or can also pick up a cactus) #Love #ShareItToday
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34-35)
So, do it today. Share expressions of love with those that God has put in your path. It might be as simple as sending a text that reads, “Just wanted to let you know, I love you”. (or can also pick up a cactus) #Love #ShareItToday
God bless you!~Liz
