A Time for Quiet...
I was just reading the February 1, 2010 devotional by Chuck Swindoll, Chancellor of Dallas Theological Seminary, and he noted February as "the month for love".
All of us, since our grade school days, remember getting that special valentine which meant someone cared for you in a special way.
Do you ever remember counting how many you got in your class to see who got the most.
Well, I want to humbly submit that numbers do not matter much anymore. It's just that special one who loves us..."warts and all." I find there are certain cards, recognitions for that special valentine.
We find ourselves looking for the valentine with the large red heart, the ruffles around it and the full Cupid's arrow plunging deep within. We boldly send forth the special message..." Be my Valentine". It's reminiscent of the early notes in grammar school with the question "Do you like me?
Answer Yes or No (boxes included) and return. It's also maybe best noted by the child to Mom.
It may be a show of love with a small hug or a special piece of valentines candy with special wording on it.
Later, we look for a bit smaller valentine but an asssociated gift from our hearts. It could be candy, perhaps a friendship ring of sorts, or even a feeble attempt to share our feelings in words.
Ah, then we become far more serious with our declaration and accompany it with our dedication to the relationship that is ours. Yes, those declarations may just be noted by that single diamond. We have moved beyond the two sharing of valentines to yes, man's position of you better not forget.
Then, comes the most beautiful valentine of all. It requires no card, nor does it even require the gift. You see the gift is and has been each other and continues to grow like a rose colored bloom
in the midst of a marvelous summer. It's that time that 1 Cor. 13 develops it's full meaning, for love conquers all.
1If I speak in the tongues[a] of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames,[b] but have not love, I gain nothing.
4Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
8Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. 11When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. 12Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
13And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
Let love surround us this designated month from one to another, child to mother
sister to brother
husband to wife
wife to husband
with the knowledge that it's wonderful life
to love
and to be loved.
the final embrace with be with our God
who brought forth an unphathomable love of all.
