Valentine’s Gifts
As I sat the other day with a sweet group of ladies discussing Valentine’s gifts, I was saddened. Maybe it is because I am a widow, but I don’t think so. You see, many were talking about how they tell their husbands not to give them flowers, or cards that go in the trash, or candy. They just wanted money for gas, or clothes, or whatever they considered good to buy for themselves.
Expressing affection
It made me want to cry. This man that loves them is expressing his affection for them in a way that says extravagant love and they are rejecting it. Their man’s heart is saying: “Roses are expensive, you are worth it!” “Cards say what I cannot find the words to say to you, I am no poet.” “Yes, chocolate-covered strawberries have calories, your weight is not who you are.” “Candy makes you smile and your smile is my candy!”
Ingratitude for ordinary gifts
I too did this once. I got a toaster for Christmas. Yes, I needed it. But as a new bride, I was wanting jewelry, clothing, a trip, or something that said a lot of thought went into it. I never said a word, but God heard the thoughts of ingratitude going through my head.
A few hours later, after all the hoo-ha of Christmas, the officer and gentleman pulled me aside and said, “This is for you.” I opened the small nondescript box to find a 14K gold heart charm with the inscription: Love Roy and Baby and on the back December 25, 1973. I was pregnant with our first child and the gift was from the father and his son! I wept tears of love and profound conviction. Why? Because a great deal of thought, the money we did not have, and time went into this gift I treasure still. The gift said “I know you! I see you! WE love you!”
Object Lesson
All gifts are given in love are they not? Here in my hand, the gold heart was an object lesson. Do I have the right to say what is good and of value? The Bible says, “EVERY good gift and every perfect gift is from above and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” James 1:17
Valentine’s Day
Valentine’s Day is a day some think was conjured up by Hallmark. So what if it was? Do we not all need a reminder to tell those we love what they mean to us. Should we not seek ways to please those we love? Do we not desire the squeals of glee from a gift we gave?
God-given heartbeat in you says I Love You
God gives a sunrise to start the day and sunset to end the day. He begins life with a heartbeat that pounds out, “I love you! I love you! I love you!” He breathes His own breath into us with His name YHWH. The very sound of His name is an inhale and an exhale! Have you told God “Don’t let my heartbeat or breathe for me?” Of course not!
God’s Gifts
He continually gives this gift whether you appreciate it or not. God gave you flowers to add fragrance to your life and we should enjoy them for yes, they will die tomorrow. He gave sunshine and rain, springtime, and harvest. He gives a child’s handprint, the kiss of snow on your nose, and the hug of a warm night.
(Used by written permission of the artist with our deepest thanks!)
Bridegroom gifts
If Christ is our Bridegroom and we are His Bride, what should our response be for His gifts?
The Father and Son have gone to great lengths to give the Bride good gifts. He wrote a love story for us. Jesus purchased our freedom. He gave His Spirit to live with us and teach us.
He is building a home for us to share and it must be perfect. We have His promise to never leave us or forsake us, to provide for us, to come back and get us!
Valentine Day
Yesterday was Valentine’s Day. Can I challenge you to just be grateful? The one giving the gift will stop giving if the gifts are constantly rejected or voiced as not enough. Our marriages are supposed to be pictures of Christ and His Bride the Church. Others are watching, listening, and taking notes. Our failures are passed onto the third and fourth generations. ( Deuteronomy 5:9, Numbers 14:18)
Remember the days when everything your man did was right, romantic, and made you reel with joy? This is a reminder of Valentine’s Day.
Love In Action
The officer and gentleman gave me a dozen red roses every Valentine’s Day. Just ask my friend Kay the florist. He purchased them for me for 33 years. I got 25 red roses on our 25th wedding anniversary, delivered to me at work over the course of the day, with a message written over three included cards. Red is symbolic of love, of the blood, sweat, and tears that went into the purchase. Yes, I loved the cards he wrote more than the Hallmark variety, but those too were picked with great care.
I Corinthians 13:4-8 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices in the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.
Yvonne Jones
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