“Charity (Love) suffereth long, (Patience) and is kind;”

I Corinthians 13:4a

Happy Valentines Day to all of my family and friends! I am recycling my post this due to some health issues; it’s that time of the year! However, I did want to give a greeting to all of our loved ones.

As many of you know, my stepfather, Jerry Hinchee passed from death into life in glory before Thanksgiving. Last night, I remembered that for many years when I lived at home, Dad bought a big pretty box of chocolates for Mom and also bought (less frilly) boxes of chocolates for each of us. For years, I kept those empty boxes because they were pretty and were great for storing greeting cards and mementos. So I just want to thank the Lord for that sweet memory! Dads, you have a great impact on your little girls. Heart-shaped boxes of chocolates mean a lot to little girls. It’s not just candy; it’s the lovely thought.

     Do you remember when you were child how exciting Valentine’s Day was? We got to make beautiful decorated boxes or as we got older, a white paper bag decorated with hearts was taped to the front of our desks.

In the lower grades, we always made or addressed a pre-made card for every child in the room and of course, a special card for our teacher. Cookies and Kool-Aid provided by our Room Mothers made the last few minutes of class very special.

Sometimes, there was a special card from the little boy across the room who always worked the water fountain for you whenever you got a drink of water. Little boys may have received a special handmade card from the girl who had a crush on him.

It was always exciting if your box contained candy. Small, red heart-shaped boxes of chocolate or the box of conversation hearts. It was fun to read each message on the heart before popping it in your mouth. I preferred the conversation hearts.

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What about the shy child who didn’t have many friends? Perhaps her classmates snickered when she was brave enough to raise her hand to answer a question only to “freeze” as the teacher called her name. The answer was lost in fear. Do you remember that child? Perhaps this was you? I remember that happening to me more than once.

This is the child who was afraid to look into her (or his) bag for fear that she had been forgotten or worse; left out by her classmates. She didn’t open her bag. Butterflies filled her tummy as she peeked into her bag. Did someone really give her a special card or did someone send an unkind message instead? Or would they laugh at the cards she gave them?

Imagine the joy when she opened her bag later in the privacy of her room to find her Valentines’ from almost everyone in the class. The candy was sweeter than anything she had ever eaten!  

Sometimes we are like that shy child. Instead of reading God’s Word and knowing that Jesus loves her so much that He gave His life for her. She misses the joy of that perfect verse read at just the appropriate time when she needed encouragement. She may be afraid to lift her voice in prayer because she doesn’t know just what to say or how to express her praise and needs to our Heavenly Father. She misses out on so many blessings! She misses out on the joy of sharing His love for others and being a blessing to someone because of fear.

“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect (mature) in love. We love Him because He first loved us!”  I John 4:18-19

So this Valentine’s day, remember. You are loved!

Have a blessed Valentines Day!

Love,

Kathy