God's Valentine, from Ginger

“God’s Valentine”

During winter I miss seeing God’s “love messages” along my daily walks.

It is too early to see the heart-shaped red bud and grape leaves, as well as the bleeding heart blossoms. But photos from past seasons revive my spirit in winter. It is also a good season to stay warm indoors reading God’s Word, wrapped in His love

. 

 John the Beloved wrote, God is love. These three short words were so important that he repeated them a few lines later. Then John followed them with…We love, because He first loved us (1 John 4:8,16,19). He wanted everyone to know true love comes from God and is all about Him.

We often can feel the warm light of God's love that surpasses human understanding - but sometimes, "stuff happens" that casts a shadow.

 Recently I had a disturbing dream where I was caught in a judgmental meeting and couldn’t escape. Long before dawn, I woke in distress, not only from the dream but also recent circumstances. Arising and going to my prayer journal, I poured my frustrated feelings onto page after page. I knew how I should feel – blessed with all my needs supplied by God – but I also confessed I did not feel peace and comfort. I opened my Bible to a passage that included: our God is near us whenever we pray to Him (Deuteronomy 4:7). Tears clouded my vision. As I grabbed a tissue, I glanced out the window.

In the dark sky above the trees, I saw a sliver of the moon. Wiping my eyes, I focused on it. I could not see the whole moon, but I knew it was there.

Looking back at my desk, I opened Jesus Calling. “Stay in continual communication with Me, so that you can live above your circumstances. …Present your requests to Me with thanksgiving, and My Peace, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your heart and mind.” Without condemning me, the reassuring words confirmed I was on the right path.

When daylight finally came, I still could only see a sliver of the moon. Suddenly a thought flashed through my mind. It was not my fault that I couldn't see the full moon. Earth was keeping me from it. I just had to be patient.

Turning again to my desk, I read another passage. Every good thing bestowed and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation, or shifting shadow (James 1:17). Dr. David Jeremiah had written, “We thank Him for the sunrise, for the air we breathe and the friends we love, for the verses we study and the strength we derive from Him. We learn to count our blessings, minimize our complaints, rejoice in the Lord, and obey the words of Jesus: Be of good cheer.”

In the dark, I had risen from my bed in distress. Now in His light, I arose from my chair with joy. God hears our prayers, speaks to our hearts, and responds to our needs because He loves us. With Him, there is no better way to start the day, even when we can only see a sliver—at the moment.

…faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love (1 Corinthians 13:13).