Valentine's Day...

Love...
            amor...
                          amour...
                                            amore...

image courtesy of Pixomar
freedigitalphotos.net

It would be so simple if love were nothing but candlelight, flattering poetry and chocolate...

The world around us is full of confusing definitions of what love is, what it should look like. But the kind of love celebrated in the world is sometimes cheap and hollow because it takes more than it gives.

I am so glad that God gave us such a clear definition of what love is. You can read 1 Corinthians 13 here if you'd like. God uses words like patient, kind and unfailing to describe love.

Leviticus 19:18 tells us who we should love: "but you shall love your neighbor as yourself." And God even tells us why we should love this way: "I am the LORD."

Loving out of humble response to God's love goes against what the world tells us - namely that love should feel good. Sometimes loving is hard. Sometimes people are un-lovely. But God doesn't give us an out. He doesn't say, Love your neighbor as long as they are nice to you....That is easy. God isn't after the quick and simple...He is after our hearts!

True love takes effort. True love stretches us in amazing ways. True love changes our heart toward the ones we love. True love draws us nearer to God.

True love is the gift I wish for each of you, dear readers, this Valentine's Day.

1 John 4: 16 - 18 (New Living Translation)
We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love.
God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world.
Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love.

Happy Valentine's Day!

To my husband...

August 28, 1999...

photo taken by Crystal Cooper photography

We were so young, and so in love. Our lives were just beginning, our walk with the Lord fresh and still  largely unexplored... We had so much to learn, together.

Almost 13 years ago we said, "I do" at the same church in which my parents and grandparents married.  On our wedding day, I couldn't imagine I'd ever be happier...

After all these miles traveled together, our love is better and stronger than ever. We have both changed so much from those newlywed days, and we give glory to God for the changes he has made!

Our love story isn't perfect. We've had our share of heartache, disappointment and sorrow over the years. We've even had a few epic arguments misunderstandings in our marriage. But those things seem small compared to the happiness I've found being Brian's wife.

I have grown as a wife and help meet to my husband under the protection of his love. And I can honestly say, the person I am today is much better than the "single me" from years ago.

Here's what I love best about my husband:

When I am at my best, he cheers me on. When I am at my worst, he loves me anyway.

He walks beside me through everyday life and walks in front of me when I need his protection.

He allows me to make mistakes and extends more grace than I've ever thought possible.

He laughs with me, cries with me and stands with me through it all.

He treats me with love and amazing tenderness.

He points my attention to the One who loves me perfectly, eternally.

He says, "I'm sorry" and means it.

He prays with me and for me.

He willingly sleeps on the floor of a sick child so I can get some rest.

When he tells me he loves me, he looks into my eyes.

When he tells me I am beautiful, I can (even if just for a moment) believe it.

image courtesy of mack2happy freedigitalphotos.net

In our home, Valentine's Day isn't about over-priced cards and flowers (although those things are nice). It's about celebrating God's gift of loving each other and knowing that we can see glimpses of our Heavenly Father when we're loving each other well.

Linking up with:
These Five of Mine Plus Two
The Better Mom
The Straightened Path
The Encouraging Home