February

Our Family in Christ,

This month we celebrate Valentine’s Day. Some have argued that it was a day created to capitalize on people buying stuff for the one’s they love. That is probably a fair critique. But there can be some incredible ways that love breaks through even in such a blatantly commercial day. True love can be revealed even in a world where we reserve our love for the lovable among us. There was a great story in one of the Chicken Soup books submitted by Dale Galloway.

Little Chad was a shy, quiet young man. One day he came home and told his mother that he’d like to make a valentine for everyone in his class. Her heart sank. She thought, “I wish he wouldn’t do that!” because she had watched the children when they walked home from school. Her Chad was always behind them. They laughed and hung on to each other and talked to each other. But Chad was never included. Nevertheless, she decided she would go along with her son. So she purchased the paper and glue and crayons. For three weeks, night after night, Chad painstakingly made 35 valentines.

 

Valentine’s Day dawned, and Chad was beside himself with excitement. He carefully stacked them up, put them in a bag, and bolted out the door. His mother decided to bake him his favorite cookies and serve them nice and warm with a cool glass of milk when he came home from school. She just knew he would be disappointed and maybe that would ease the pain a little. It hurt her to think that he wouldn’t get many valentines-maybe none at all.

 

That afternoon she had the cookies and milk on the table. When she heard the children out- side, she looked out the window. Sure enough, there they came, laughing and having the best time. And, as always, there was Chad in the rear. He walked a little faster than usual. She fully expected him to burst into tears as soon as he got inside. His arms were empty, she noticed, and when the door opened she choked back the tears. “Mommy has some cookies and milk for you,” she said. But he hardly heard her words. He just marched right on by, his face aglow, and all he could say was: “Not a one. Not a one.” Her heart sank. And then he added, “I didn’t forget a one, not a single one!”

This is the love of God which has not missed a single one of us. During Epiphany we look for the revelations of God’s overwhelming love and we find it revealed in amazing places. And we pray during this season that like Chad we might learn to love each other as Christ has loved us.

Blessed Epiphany and Happy Valentine’s Day to all of You Our Beloved Family,

Pastors Cris and Dave