Valentine's Day is special at our house, for a couple of reasons. First, it is my husband's birthday. And second, it is the day that we adopted our dog, Charlie. I like to describe Charlie as having been a "Wal-Mart special".
It happened on Valentine's Day afternoon, four years ago. Younger Son and I had gone to the Wal-Mart shopping center on an errand. As we pulled into the parking lot he pointed out people milling around an old pick-up truck with a sign on it: "Free Puppies". He asked if we could stop and look. Our former dog, Max, had died a few months earlier. Max had been quite the "handful", and I was not eager to get another dog. I said, "Maybe on the way out." After completing our errand, we headed home. I asked, "Do you want to just stop and look?" "I guess so," was the reply.
There were several puppies in the kennels, but I was drawn to just one. As I gathered this Aussie shepherd/blue tick coon hound mix in my arms, I knew I never wanted to let him go. On the ride home, I've never seen a more terrified dog. He was drooling from anxiety (a habit he continued for several months). Hubster was stunned to receive a puppy as a birthday present! Younger Son had told me at the pick-up truck, "I bear absolutely no responsibility for this!" Well, Charlie has become a tremendous blessing to all of us. He is dearly loved. (Right now, he is lying across my foot...)
This family story reminds me of my place in God's family. Look at Galatians 4:4-6 - - -
4But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, 5so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. 6Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!"…
This is love! Don't you see how adoption is at the heart of it? We did not first love God, but He first loved us. We were "mutts". We were not His "natural-born" sons/daughters, or His "only-begotten" sons/daughters. We are His through adoption. Hallelujah! This is the heart of the gospel of Jesus Christ, who Is The Best Valentine.
But God demonstrated His own love for us in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 5:8
There has been a lot of controversy recently about a vile movie which is opening today. It is built around the perverted sexual desires of a rich, young man. His interactions with a virginal, young woman do not typify love in any way. In fact, this movie is an insult to true love.
But, God does not merely illustrate or typify love - - - He IS love, in all its beauty, in all its glory. His love poured out on us truly is "the greatest love of all". You may be facing a lonely Valentine's Day. In fact, the holiday may itself be repugnant because of all the emphasis on romantic love when you are not "there" right now.
Regardless of your present circumstances, on this Valentine's Day, you can reach out and experience God's love. It is never-ending and always available. Don't turn away. Whether you would be reaching out to Him for the first time today for eternal salvation or whether you are already a disciple of Jesus Christ and needing a reminder....He is there for you.
| "The love of God is greater far Than tongue or pen can ever tell. It goes beyond the highest star And reaches to the lowest hell. The guilty pair, bowed down with care, God gave His Son to win; His erring child He reconciled And pardoned from his sin.Could we with ink the ocean fill, And were the skies of parchment made; Were every stalk on earth a quill, And every man a scribe by trade; To write the love of God above Would drain the ocean dry; Nor could the scroll contain the whole, Though stretched from sky to sky. |
Oh love of God!
How rich and pure!
How measureless and strong!
It shall forevermore endure
The saints' and angels' song.
words and music by Frederick Martin LehmanHappy Valentine's Day!
Dear Father, thank you for the gift of Your Son, Who is Love personified. Today, I celebrate Your love, which is incomparable. No one can ever or will ever love me like You do. To be loved, adopted, cherished, made new by the God of all the Universe is both inconceivable and unfathomable. I don't pretend to understand what caused you to do what you did for me. My love for You is paltry in comparison. I was hearing on the news this morning of yet more Coptic Christians, these in Libya, who were martyred overnight for their devotion to You. That is the best of human love, and still, it pales in comparison to Yours. Give me a Valentine's heart - - a Christ-like heart. Help me to love more like You do, precious Savior! It is in Your name, Lord Jesus, I pray, amen.
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