A Hero for Love (and Not Quite Back to Normal Yet)
Remember last week when I said I would be back to normal and release an episode? Yeah, I remember that too. Apparently the lingering ‘ick’ of Covid did not get the memo and I am listening to my body instead of pushing through. I’m disappointed, but I’m also learning that sometimes there is nothing you can do but accept the reality and know that something good will eventually come from it!
I just sent out the latest issue of Table Conversations (the newsletter that gets sent 1 to 2 times a month). If you haven’t subscribed yet, scroll down to the bottom of this page and do so real quick. I promise I won’t spam you. To give a you quick taste, here is the latest issue:
Happy Valentine's Week, Creatives!
Only a few more days until the day that made Hallmark and FTD very happy companies! I will be completely honest with you, I haven't gotten a thing for the Rocket Scientist yet. I feel bad about that as well.
You see, Valentine's Day is actually a pretty big day in our coupleness. On Valentine's Day 1992 he asked me to marry him...and we were married 4 months later on June 13th. He has always spoiled me on that day - and I have no doubt this year he will do the same - it might look a little different though, thanks to Covid.
Did you know that St. Valentine was a Champion of Love? Sort of wild when you think that a priest, not entering in to marriage, would fight to the death for covenant marriages. Valentine lived in Rome during the third century. At this time, in the interest of making better soldiers, the Emperor Claudius II ruled that young men should not get married. After all, single soldiers could devote their entire lives to fighting at war, while married soldiers were distracted by a wife and family.
Valentine, recognizing both the beauty of Christian marriage and the injustice in the emperor’s decree, went against the emperor and continued to secretly marry young Christian couples. Unfortunately, when Valentine’s marriages were discovered, Claudius II had him killed. For Valentine, though, his death sentence was worth following God’s will and blessing holy, Christian marriages.
I love God's redeeming, creative work through His masterpieces!
Now, Valentine's Day is certainly focused on those in romantic relationships - but I have come to believe that the romantic part should take a backseat to the beauty of simply showing love to our family, friends, neighbors and community. There are so many ways that we can lift each other's hearts and speak life and love - just as Jesus would want us to do!
Here are just a few fun ideas:
Who says those Valentine's card packs are just for kids? Buy a box and sign them. Since the 14th is on Sunday, if you are going to church in person, hand them out to people - those you know well and those you might not know at all!
Tie pink and red streamers on all of the mailboxes on your street the night before. What a fun surprise to wake up and see.
Get some bird seed and go feed the birds at a park on Sunday - birds need love too!
Make your favorite hot drink and drive somewhere to watch the sunset - pray together as a couple or family that God would show you how to best love those around you in the coming year.
Be creative - it doesn't take money...and the memories are priceless!
For some extra enjoyment, here is a playlist of some of my favorite love songs on Spotify: Love Songs Playlist from The Creative Table
Until next time, go out and find a creative way to make someone smile!
Be Blessed!
Stacy
Photo by Jasmine Waheed on Unsplash
