Valentine’s Day
Valentine’s Day – a day to celebrate love. Valentine’s Day – a day for candy, flowers, and red paper doily hearts.
I remember when I was in the fourth grade I wanted to get my Momma the biggest, bestest, most beautiful Valentine. I took the pop bottles I had collected and placed them in my red wagon to walk to the store to redeem them for the two-cent deposit. I was feeling good – I had 75 cents for a Valentine!
I headed over to the drug store to check out the big, red, heart-shaped boxes of chocolates – for my Momma loved chocolate. Not enough money.
I looked over all of the pretty cards arrayed to show off the lace and hearts. I found the biggest one. Not enough money.
I looked over the perfume counter – Momma smelled good and she liked perfume. I found a fancy bottle with a squeeze bulb on the end. Not enough money.
I was one broken-hearted little boy as I walked home that Saturday. All of my plans to give Mommy a gift that would show her how much I loved her were dashed – not enough money.
The next day I went to school and shared my plight with my teacher. She said, “Wait here a moment.” She returned with red construction paper, white paper doilies, crayons and glue. She helped me cut out hearts and lace and make a card. She patiently guided me through the process of recreating the card that I saw in the store. She found ribbon and created a beautiful bow to adorn the card.
The card was done – but what to give her? My teacher gave me some special paper and a small envelope. She suggested, “Why not give her a gift only you can give?” “What?” I was curious.
She helped me create a special “gift” certificate that promised my Mommy that she could redeem it at any time for hugs and kisses.
Valentine’s Day came and I presented my card and certificate to Momma. I hadn’t seen my Mommy cry much before that – but she had tears in her eyes when she gave me hugs and kisses. She said, “This is the best Valentine!”
After Mom’s funeral we were sorting through her dresser drawers. There was my Valentine – stored away for over 40 years. I could imagine that she would look at it every now and then and remember and smile. I gave her a gift only I could – myself.
Jesus asked John, “Do you love me?” I can answer with John, “Yes, Lord, you know that I Love you.” But what can I give to Jesus? I can give Him a gift only I can give – myself.
When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?"
"Yes, Lord," he said, "you know that I love you."
Jesus said, "Feed my lambs."
-John 21:15
I remember when I was in the fourth grade I wanted to get my Momma the biggest, bestest, most beautiful Valentine. I took the pop bottles I had collected and placed them in my red wagon to walk to the store to redeem them for the two-cent deposit. I was feeling good – I had 75 cents for a Valentine!
I headed over to the drug store to check out the big, red, heart-shaped boxes of chocolates – for my Momma loved chocolate. Not enough money.
I looked over all of the pretty cards arrayed to show off the lace and hearts. I found the biggest one. Not enough money.
I looked over the perfume counter – Momma smelled good and she liked perfume. I found a fancy bottle with a squeeze bulb on the end. Not enough money.
I was one broken-hearted little boy as I walked home that Saturday. All of my plans to give Mommy a gift that would show her how much I loved her were dashed – not enough money.
The next day I went to school and shared my plight with my teacher. She said, “Wait here a moment.” She returned with red construction paper, white paper doilies, crayons and glue. She helped me cut out hearts and lace and make a card. She patiently guided me through the process of recreating the card that I saw in the store. She found ribbon and created a beautiful bow to adorn the card.
The card was done – but what to give her? My teacher gave me some special paper and a small envelope. She suggested, “Why not give her a gift only you can give?” “What?” I was curious.
She helped me create a special “gift” certificate that promised my Mommy that she could redeem it at any time for hugs and kisses.
Valentine’s Day came and I presented my card and certificate to Momma. I hadn’t seen my Mommy cry much before that – but she had tears in her eyes when she gave me hugs and kisses. She said, “This is the best Valentine!”
After Mom’s funeral we were sorting through her dresser drawers. There was my Valentine – stored away for over 40 years. I could imagine that she would look at it every now and then and remember and smile. I gave her a gift only I could – myself.
Jesus asked John, “Do you love me?” I can answer with John, “Yes, Lord, you know that I Love you.” But what can I give to Jesus? I can give Him a gift only I can give – myself.
When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?"
"Yes, Lord," he said, "you know that I love you."
Jesus said, "Feed my lambs."
-John 21:15