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."

Welcome February -- It's the LOVE Month!

It’s the LOVE month and I’m especially in my heaven-to-earth love mindset as I’m back in Austin and getting to have a lovefest with my boys. Twelve year-old Bryson, who is the outdoors guy and I spend a lot of time outside. It’s my joy to be his assistant when feeding his many animals. I asked him if he was getting tired of seeing after them. His response “NEVER!” Yesterday we went for a hike through the trails of the acreage and then watched him show my his bow and arrow efficiency in the back acres shooting thrown-out pumpkins. We hung out by the creek while doing his schoolwork in a cozy place out there and at break time – he showed me his skills using his daddy’s BB gun that we bought him when he was Bryson’s age. Be still my heart! Bryson’s daddy still holds onto a childhood memory.

Brennan is my sports guy – baseball and basketball. What a blessing it is to be so close to them to watch many of his games. They won their basketball game last night and my Brennan scored 12 of the winning points. Love is definitely in the air when I get to hang out with them, as with all of my grandchildren.

Of course, when February rolls around, it’s automatic to think of Valentine’s Day and the opportunity to share our love to the one or ones we hold near and dear to our hearts. I’m sending out that love to you, my FB and Blog friends and family. My sister and brother-in-law were married on February 14th. I am always nostalgic during this month because on February 14th, 1961, my boyfriend (and 5 years later, my groom) and I went on our first real boy-girl date, chauffeured by his dad and mom to my church’s youth Valentine's banquet. This month has always been the "Love Month" to me, and though my sweetheart celebrates it in heaven, I still celebrate it here with those I hold dear.

Of course, this month is dedicated to lovers and romantic relationships. But why don’t we take it up a notch and determine that February is a LOVE month for all those around us? Sometimes we get so caught up in our daily routines, we forget to let those close to us know how much we love and appreciate them. There’s nothing more important than letting people know how much they mean to us.

So, why not let this be a LOVE month with everyone we encounter? Love is as simple as smiling at someone walking toward us, someone in front or behind us in the checkout line or someone standing next to us in an elevator. Sounds innocent enough, but what we really can be doing is secretly telling them “I love you” with that smile. And, if they smile back at us, let’s imagine them saying “I love you” back to us. That silent exchange may cause feelings to emerge that could transform their day AND our day.

So, since February is the month for love, how about we make a commitment to “give our love away” – maybe in a love letter to those people in our life who inspire us, support us, assist us, feed us, nurture us, care for us, love us, pray for us, protect us, laugh with us and cry with us? They have shared the magnificent journey of our life with us. Let's purpose to pour on the love this month....and let me start by saying "I LOVE YOU.....my FB friends and family. You mean the world to me! You make my world a better place. You put a smile on my face and you give me so many joys! May you know God's love in tangible and beautiful ways....not just this month, but ALWAYS!"
1 John 4:7 "Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God."





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2 YEARS AGO TODAY

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."