Valentine's Day--just the words bring either a grin or a groan, depending on what you see in your garden of love--fresh flowers, wilting weeds, or not a bloomin' thing! I've cultivated all three gardens at one time or other in my life, and I know! It may be a boomin' day for card companies, but it's NOT a bloomin' day for everyone! You may be single, single AGAIN, waiting, or widowed, and can't wait for it to be over. All the hype just makes it hurt all the more...and it's no fun.
So what do you do if this happy love fest is not ringing bells in YOUR heart? Curl up and cry? Grin and bear it? No--you go to the Word, where a love letter from the Lord awaits you...and of course, if you're at Peggie's Place, you go to the Well, where a compassionate Savior waits to bring you healing and comfort. And that's just where we're headed right now!
A Helping Word...or Two!
A HURTING HEART!...I know..."V Day" is more like "Veterans Day," and you bear the scars of broken relationships, open wounds, and a bitter spirit. The love and romance didn't work, for whatever reason, and you are hurting. You're done with love--a garden full of weeds is no fun!
But God knows too...and He waits to bring healing to your brokenness. That's what Calvary is all about! But He cannot do it until you release the hurt to Him. You must let it go! And when you do, peace and comfort will flood your soul. And the sorrow will not be wasted--God will use you to bring healing to another--for that's how His love works!
"He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds (Psalm 147:3)."
For the Lord shall comfort...he will make her desert like the garden of the Lord; joy and gladness shall be found in it, thanksgiving, and the voice of melody (Isaiah 51:3 KJV)."
Now, go find a lonely little kid who needs alot of love--buy him a funny Valentine card and a big chocolate Valentine heart--his face will light up....and so will yours!
A HOLDING HEART!...I know..."V Day" for you is "Vvvroom" Day--you rush past the Valentine card racks; you avoid every mushy, romantic card in the store; let's just get this love-sick holiday over as fast as we can, and get on with life! You've waited and "held on" for God's perfect mate for you; you're still holding--and you wonder, will it be forever?
But God knows too...and He waits to bring hope to your heart. But He can't do it until you are still; until you have entrusted Him with the intimate details of your life. Waiting is hard; it's even harder in the promiscuous society we live in. But remember, chastity is not a terminal disease. You WILL survive, and someday thank the Lord you waited--for His time and His choice. Develop an intimate relationship with the One who loves you beyond all earthly loves. The Holy Spirit will nourish within you those graces and virtues that may someday enhance a marriage relationship to its fullest--you'll be a better person, just because you waited!
Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life (Proverbs 4:23 (KJV)."For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord will give grace and glory. No good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly (Psalm 84:11)."For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, not perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him who waiteth for him (Isaiah 64:4 KJV)."
Now, go find someone all alone, perhaps a senior citizen--brighten up their day with a smile, an invitation to dinner, and a box of chocolates--they'll love it...and so will you!
You can have ONE!
PS...and why not write a poem, and tell the Lord all about it? I did, many years ago-- read it, and smile--for, if you've been in my home, real or virtual, you will know He answered my prayer just fine--and in HIS time!
A HEAVENLY HEART...I know..."V Day" for you IS "Valentine's Day"--you pick out just the right card or two--funny, romantic--there's flowers, candy, and lots of love. That is, after you've done the laundry, taxi'd the kids, cleaned your house, done your web page--and...SKIP the dinner--he's takin' you out!!
God knows too...He designed it all in HIS original Garden--and it worked--till man (or woman??...grin...) messed it up! Love is grand--on MOST days--let's be real! For even in the most lovely garden, weeds will appear--and we must be aware! But when HE, the Creator of married love, is Lord of the relationship, it WILL work. Now you too must "work" the garden, so keep the garden tools of communication, caring, and commitment handy, but KNOW He delights to shower your marriage with love, joy--AND fun! What an awesome God to design such delight for His children! He loves to make marriages in heaven--enjoy!
For married couples everywhere: Bible Gateway.com - Song-of-Solomon">Song of Solomon
Now, if you've had a spat, and you're mad at your spouse, go out anyway and buy him or her the most beautiful or funny Valentine card you can find, throw in some chocolates too (no, don't throw them AT him!), make up, and have a wonderful day!
How is YOUR garden growing today--flowers, weeds, not a bloomin' thing? Beyond any human love, however wonderful or hurtful, remains the constant, unchanging love of God--the agape love that brings eternal life and joy to your heart. Let HIS agape love fill all our hearts...and have a wonderful Valentine's Day!
And that's just a word--or two--from my garden to yours!
His Healing Word
"Beloved, let us love one another; for love is of God, and everyone that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God (l John 4:7 (KJV)."
"Lord, You are the One True Love of my life. I love You! Let me know Your love today; let me show Your love today. In Jesus' Name, Amen."
Not hearing music? You need Crescendo!. With thanks to Gilberto Barreto for the beautiful music playing at Peggie's Place. His original composition is entitled, "I Love You, Jesus."
Peggie's Place banner was "Made in Hawaii" compliments of my friend Madelein of His Praise Maui!
Most of the music playing at Peggie's Place originates from Songs of Praise.
Visit their great Web site to hear beautiful tunes by many talented artists (CDs are available).
Celebrating God's goodness . . .. . . 14 million and counting!
Note: Counter keeps a running total of "page views" for the
entire site. --It jogs around the world and around the clock--to find
YOU!
This Christian home has been visited a zillion times
since December 26, 1995! Well, not quite, but there HAS been a houseful--and
STILL room for one more--YOU! The Christian Counter scans the entire site--and there's plenty of chocolate for everyone--so enjoy!
Please note that while I strongly adhere to major tenets of the
evangelical Christian faith, I may not personally agree with every specific doctrinal belief set forth in other
Christian pages, nor would all necessarily agree with me. I do want to provide a diversity of links and resource material
for the entire Body of Christ to enjoy, and trust you will view it as such.
A safety tip: Internet links and material may include other links and/or material which do not reflect my Christian views or yours. Please choose wisely and use with discretion! And if you find an ugly spider hiding in a dark corner,
you may smash it with a broom from my BROOM
CLOSET--I hate offensive stuff too!
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A Hurting Word...
