yesterday was valentines day, but you already knew that. i used to be a "ba-hum-bug" when it came to this day- focusing on my lack of a 'special someone' in my life but after the valentines day i had last year, who can not like a day focused on love?! sure, commercialism has had its way with the celebration of this day but i choose to focus on the meaning of love and the author and perfecter of it.
let me start at the beginning- last valentines day. so on feb 14, 2010 i left for manila, philippines with about 10 other people in order to feed 5000 people. through this trip i saw God in a new way and experienced His love with a new excitement and intensity. being able to hand them food for their bellies and food for their souls was an experience like no other. this changed the way i thought about valentines day. being used by God to show and give His love on the day we set aside to celebrate love was beyond words. now i am a valentines day lover!
this year was not nearly as exciting as last but still fun. sunday night our house was full of glitter, poster board, markers and ribbon, not to mention the smell! pink pancakes & peanut butter cookies were in the making as we cut, glued and glittered. talk about a great way to spend a night with great girls in love. last night i went out with a few friends and celebrated being single with some mexican food! we had so much fun girl talking and then ending the night with a chick flick, none other than.. valentines day!
a whole lot has changed since last valentines day. a lot that has changed began when i returned from that trip to the philippines. this was my first valentines without 'my valentine' aka my dad. i'm not going to lie, it was so difficult to hear my friends talk about how their dad sent them flowers or bought them this or that. my dad was great about making me feel special and reassuring me of how much he loved me but this year i was comforted by the love of my Heavenly Father and He reassures me through His word that I am beautiful, lovely, precious, and much loved by Him.
this past weekend i led a disciple now weekend in decatur. i spent that time with 10 7th grade girls. talk about an interesting weekend! God spoke His truth into my life over and over again and is opening my eyes to a better understanding of who He is and what He requires from His children. the theme of the weekend was live pure. not only in body but in mind, soul, and heart as well. the past two weekends i have been fed the Gospel, sugar free, by great men of God. what a blessing!
this weekend is going to be AMAZING! my mom is coming into town on thursday (YAY!) i haven't seen her in a month! i will be able to attend the village church for the first time in 2 weeks and i'm so looking forward to it. i have really missed being at my church.
James 4:7-10:
"Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up."
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