The Month of Love Can Be “Bah Humbug”.....if we let it!

Everywhere I look there are reminders: "This is Love Month!". Since my sweetheart is long gone from this side of heaven, I could shut my eyes, allow myself to be pitiful and think "Please March, get here quickly!" But you’ll notice I refuse to go there, so much so that I intentionally post about love this month.

You see, February 14th has been a precious day for me since I was 12 years old. Well, maybe even before that when we decorated shoe boxes for receiving Valentine cards from our schoolmates. Up till February 14th, 1961, the cards I received from boys were slim-pickens. But from 1961 until 2010, Valentine's meant the world to me. My Sweetheart and I had our first "date" on Valentine's (ages 12 & 13) and every year since then, we made it "our" special day. I fully understand, however, why many wish there wasn't so much emphasis on love and lovers -- especially if they don't have a significant other.

But, every year, I purposely decide to defeat those thoughts as soon as February rolls around. Rather than being wimpy, I purpose to be energized, strong and determined. I embrace this whole month and call it a Month of Love -- focusing on giving out love daily, expressing my appreciation for friends, family and ESPECIALLY, my Father God -- the greatest LOVER of all.

I'm sharing my thoughts with you about "Valentine's NOT being Bah Humbug". I checked my heart on it before this month rolled around. And look at how God intercepted my thoughts. These photos are of a Valentine's "Love" brunch given by some precious women from Dwell Church. The homeowner emulates the beauty of being a Martha who serves with excellence and a Mary who worships at the feet of Jesus. I was so grateful to be included in this special celebration that she went way out of her way to show her love to us. Everything was done meticulously with excellence from the "love" signs that greeted us to the handsome servers from the church who welcomed us with a lovely punch, a ticket, and a sweet "love" magnet.

Their living area furniture was moved to their bedroom. Can. You. Speak? Reminders of love were everywhere and the brunch was par excellence. Check out that chocolate fountain bar. How blessed I felt when she gave a gorgeous orchid plant to me and another widow. I sensed my sweetheart looking down from heaven and applauding. To top it off, the tickets were for the gorgeous centerpieces filled with candy hearts and roses, and my number was drawn. I tried to give it away for someone else, but they insisted I keep it. Truly I sensed God's favor. He keeps on pouring it on!

I like to think that this sweet day was a gift for turning up the love burner in my month. It was a “give and it shall be given” gift to me. So, I will continue to NOT fall for the "IF ONLY" lie. You know, "IF ONLY my sweetheart was still here, IF ONLY I had a boyfriend, IF ONLY I had a romantic husband." "IF ONLY" can do quite a number on our hearts. That’s why I’m determined to replace my "If onlys" with "I ams". I AM loved by God. I AM so thankful for the beautiful people He has placed in my life. I AM rich in God’s mercy and grace. I AM so happy that I love this LOVE season because I am reminded to amp up my love for God and others. 1 John 4:19 explains it this way "We love because He first loved us."

Valentine's Day -- "Bah Humbug"

I've been very intentional to post a lot of "love" messages this month. You see, February 14th has been a precious day for me since I was 12 years old. Well, maybe even before that when we decorated shoe boxes for receiving Valentine cards from our schoolmates. Up until February 14th, 1961, the cards I received from boys were slim-pickens. But from 1961 until 2010, Valentine's meant the world to me. My Sweetheart and I had our first chaparoned "date" to a church Valentine's banquet on Valentine's Day (ages 12 & 13) and every year since then, we made it "our" special day. This first photo is our first Valentine's together. Notice I was taller than him so I stood on the step below him. He eventually caught up and went past me! LOL! The next photo here is the charm bracelet he gave me the next year on Valentine's Day -- it was our 1-year "first date" anniversary! He saved up his own money to give it to me. I wear it often and count my blessings.

And, here I am, fifty-six years later, on this February 14, 2017. it's been 6 years and 3 months since my Valentine Sweetheart's graduation to heaven. I'm missing him today…incredibly, but I refuse to be sad on this day. It is not a "Bah Humbug" day for me. I've been defeating those thoughts since my sweetheart went to heaven. Rather than being wimpy, I've purposed to be energized, strong and determined. In fact, I decided to embrace this whole month and call it a Month of Love -- focusing my attention on giving out love daily, expressing my appreciation for friends, family and ESPECIALLY, my Father God -- the greatest LOVER of all.

I am NOT going to fall for the "IF ONLY" lie. You know them, "IF ONLY I had a sweetheart or IF ONLY my sweetheart was still here." "IF ONLY" can do quite a number on our hearts. Can I gently remind you of an important truth? A truth that made all the difference to me? If we are God’s children, we are involved in the greatest love story ever created. God created us, knows us inside and out, and loves us from the top of our heads to the tips of our toes. We can celebrate love this year just like everyone else, knowing that we have a deeper understanding than anything that’s advertised or on the shelves in a store.

That’s why I’m determined to replace my "If onlys" with "I ams". I AM loved by God. I AM so thankful for the people I do have in my life. I AM so happy that I love this LOVE season because I can express love to God and others. 1 John 4:19 explains it this way "We love because He first loved us."

Valentine's "Bah Humbug"

I don't think I explained about my Month of Love posts. It's been very intentional. You see, February 14th has been a precious day for me since I was 12 years old. Well, maybe even before that when we decorated shoe boxes for receiving Valentine cards from our schoolmates. Up till February 14th, 1961, the cards I received from boys were slim-pickens. But from 1961 until 2010, Valentine's meant the world to me. My Sweetheart and I had our first "date" on Valentine's (ages 12 & 13) and every year since then, we made it "our" special day. Since he graduated to heaven, my sweet kids send me "love" cards with precious sentiments, but you "single" girls know what I mean -- it's just not the same. You just wish there wasn't even a day where the emphasis was on love and lovers -- especially if you don't have a significant other.

But this year, I decided to defeat those thoughts as soon as February rolled around. Rather than being wimpy, I purposed to be energized, strong and determined. I decided to embrace this whole month and call it a Month of Love -- focusing my attention on giving out love daily, expressing my appreciation for friends, family and ESPECIALLY, my Father God -- the greatest LOVER of all.

Yesterday, I, along with other ladies from my church, delivered floral arrangements for Toni's Flowers. We do that for Valentine's and Mother's Day, and she is so generous to make a donation to our women's ministires. What a joy it was to see the faces on the recipients of those flowers, and Toni is so giving that she provides us with beautiful long stem roses with bows and packaged beautifully to give to those we just deemed needed a brighter day. One receptionist accepted the beautiful arrangement for a co-worker and asked "Where are these from?" I told her Toni's. She said, "I just knew it. Toni is wonderful. When my husband died, I went into her shop and ordered the arrangement for my husband's funeral, and Toni also put together a beautiful arrangement for my kids to have there. She didn't even charge me." And, I said, "As a matter of fact, Toni's is where the flowers for MY husband's funeral were from and when I found six little glass birds in her shop for my grandchildren's arrangement, she said, "That is my gift to you." Here were two women embracing the love and the memory -- just because I delivered an arrangement to that business.

After that, I took lunch to Mom and then went to the Nursing Home where my dear friend is recuperating from surgery. I spent time with her celebrating "she's still here, so God's not through with her yet" and then I prayed with her and her daughter. When I made it back to home, a dear friend from years' past called. She had no idea of my husband's passing 5 years ago. She was astounded, yet we both rejoiced in his graduation and celebrating our lives today. For nearly two hours we celebrated God's goodness in our lives.

I'm sharing my thoughts with you about "Valentine's NOT being Bah Humbug". I checked my heart on this before this month rolled around. This month, I'm looking for who I can bless. In fact, I've already made a date with my mother-in-law for a Valentine's lunch-out together. We'll be each other's sweethearts. I'm going to take communion to my friend in the nursing home. Instead of waiting to be loved, I'm making the decision to give love. I have so many friends who need to know someone is thinking about them right now. And there are wonderful ministry opportunities to reach out to those in need. There is so much joy to be had when we seek to invest loving acts into others’ lives.

I am NOT going to fall for the "IF ONLY" lie. You know, "IF ONLY my sweetheart was still here, IF ONLY I had a boyfriend, IF ONLY I had a romantic husband." "IF ONLY" can do quite a number on our hearts. That’s why I’m determined to replace my "If onlys" with "I ams". I AM loved by God. I AM so thankful for the people I do have in my life. I AM so happy that I love this LOVE season because I can express love to God and others. 1 John 4:19 explains it this way "We love because He first loved us."