Do you remember asking the question, often with an accompanying small, awkwardly sized card and a box of tasteless, sugar hearts?
“Will you be my Valentine?” It’s a pretty vulnerable question to ask when you are in grade school and your heart is on your sleeve (I still remember the 4th grade when Dalene Whitney told me yes then no then yes again all in the same day).
It’s even more vulnerable years later when you ask a variation of the question: “Am I still your Valentine?”
Today is the 22nd year that Jessica has been my Valentine, and I’m desperately hoping that I’ve been a good Valentine for her. I hope that her years of having me as her Valentine have reinforced in her the reality of God’s overwhelming love. When she stops to count her blessings I hope she has overwhelming evidence that God—through me—has been good to her.
And this isn’t just a post about Jessica and me! It’s a question for all of us to ponder as we think about our many sweethearts today. Have we made them better? Have we been agents of healing? Have we lived and loved so well that our children, students, friends, family members, and loved ones have evidence of a good and gracious God? God is good and gracious and loving and kind; the question is: have our lives highlighted that reality?
One of the most remarkable things about the Gospel story is that God allows us humans to represent Him to our world. Sometimes we do it well, sometimes we fall down on the job. If you’ve fallen down on the job it doesn’t mean the story is over. Valentine’s Day is a perfect day for refreshing resolutions and charting the courses in life that we truly want to follow.
AMEN!
Interesting timing on this post Chris. While I feel I’ve fallen short for Robyn on all the points/questions you posed, Robyn came home last night all excited asking if I’d read your post. I said that I had. She then said this is all you and proceeded to reverse the roles plugging our names into the slots you’d designated for yourself and Jessica. It was a very humbling experience for me …and am in no way trying to blow my own horn here. It was just very reassuring to know that my efforts are bringing goodness to her life – she is afterlife the love of my life.
Thanks Chris – as always, you’re teaching is beyond extraordinary. You’re truly an amazing man, pastor, father, husband, and friend.
I love it!! Pete, it is very true! 🙂
Love is deep and it should be, go deeper
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