Today was a great day of celebration of Valentine's Day. Though I have lived long enough to see many come and go, this year was best in its simplicity. So many people I talked to today were just happy about "Happy Valentine's Day". All kinds of people, even strangers that I talked to today gave me a Happy Valentine's Day greeting. In past times, the emphasis of this day was romance and being with "the one you loved". On today, I experienced the kind of love that goes beyond a man and woman relationship - it was an Agape type of love that comes from God. Agape love is God's type of love because its unconditional - it is not based on what you have done for someone. It is also not based on just the mushy, sentimental stuff we see in the movies and read in various types of cards. It is a love for everyone for no reason at all. It is the love that gives and not takes. It is the love that has compassion.
After a long day at work, I came home to find friends celebrating an annual Valentine's Day dinner. My friends who are great host and hostess respectively, had a lavishly decorated table with almost two dozen of roses, balloons, cards and a wonderful feast of food and desserts, including homemade red velvet cupcakes and chocolate-dipped strawberries. I was...well surprised. I had grown used to celebrating the day with The Lord, happy that He loves me unconditionally and glad to see so many smiling faces. I was pleasantly surprised to have a gourmet meal of scrimp scampi, sweet potatoe and broccoli. Music was playing in the background and as always, my friends had great conversation and funny antidotes to kee the fun going - even a little dancing to the sounds of Luther Vandross was fun to watch.
I realized today, more than ever, that love is best expressed in what we do for each other. We all have relationship challenges; life is not perfect and no one is perfect, including me. With love, we can truly "cover a multitude of sins" we may commit against each other either intentionally or unintentionally. My friends showed me to day the importance of showing love and celebrating love one for another in a special way - you know the type that doesn't hold grudges and sees the positive in everyone. That's the type of love God really wants us to have - forgive, forbear and forget when its tough to love and to take every opportunity to show love to family, friends and our neighbors.
I pray you had a wonderful day even if you did not get a card or flowers. Jesus Christ died on the cross to show His great love for you so you would have a renewed and restored relationship with God the Father and a wonderful eternal future with Him. Jesus loves us this I know, for the Bible tells us so...He really does love you and me. I pray you receive Jesus Christ in your hearts as your Savior. He is a great Savior and a great friend.
Happy Valentine's Day!
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