Sharing this once more before Valentine’s Day turns into Lent.
… As far back as I can remember, I have always loved God. I can’t remember when I had the very first loving thoughts and feelings toward God. But He has always been most important to me. …
My granddaughter Claire asked me one day,
“Babci, Who told you about God?”
My immediate reply,
“My mommy told me about God.” And she had because God was her life.
Read MoreLove songs often sound like songs we could sing to God or even songs God could sing to us. Our human expressions of earthly love are shadows of a perfect love relationship we all inherently crave, but will never find in this world. Such a pervasive longing is evidence that a there is Someone who truly has loved us to the end.
Read MoreI am so honored to introduce you to my latest Guest Branch, my darling daughter, Elizabeth ... better known to all of us as Beth. Beth and Nate, her husband of ten-plus years, started out as good friends in high school. Years later, at just the right time, their real-life friendship blossomed into something more.
So in this post from her own blog, Beth describes a real-life romance, celebrating Valentines Day in a real-life way.
A profoundly real truth for us all!
My Sticky Valentine
Valentine’s Day has always been a sticky holiday for my husband and I. My decorating style may be romantic at times, but our style as a couple just doesn't jive with all the over the top drama associated with the holiday. My date night of choice for example would be to go play a rousing game of billiards and flirt competitively with my husband over drinks rather than exchange sonnets professing our love. There is just something that doesn't ring true in my heart if it has to be cloaked in too much pomp and circumstance.
We usually just play it safe though and go the humorous route, oh yeah, and chocolate...lots and lots of chocolate. Honestly I would be hard pressed to find an occasion in life where Godiva would not be appropriate.
But last year I couldn't opt-out with humor. Just a couple of months prior we had taken a large financial hit with our rental home, having to replace the entire AC unit as well as completing some other major repairs. While we were trying to regain our footing, we found out that we were expecting. Being the efficient military couple, forced to travel light, we had gotten rid of all the paraphernalia required for a child under the age of 4.
It wasn't earth shattering and truly the latter one was a blessing but by Valentines day we were left feeling stressed and emotionally tired.
I set out to compose a valentine that was financially cheap, emotionally extravagant and honestly whimsical.
After composing the message, I printed it out on card stock folding it at the top twice, leaving 1/2in allowance between the folds, to fit a box of my husband's favorite chewing gum on the inside.
Then I left it on the seat of his car.
It's not perfect. In fact I can't help thinking how my graphic designer brother might react to my type choice and spacing. I guess its only fitting. My husband and I are not perfect either but in our imperfection, perfect for each other and isn't that what Valentines day is all about?
Visit Beth at her blog Rental Pretty
I'm not afraid to experiment with unconventional materials, snatch up and repurpose rejected items waiting for the landfill,and occasionally fail in the process.
It's all in the effort to transform this bland rental space from rental ready to RentalPretty.
Janet Renner Loyd has been a disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ most of her life. Her formal education includes a degree in education from the University of Arizona and also a degree in Bible & Theology from Moody Bible Institute. For more than thirty years, she has been involved in teaching and leading women’s Bible studies, retreats, and meetings…most notably Precept upon Precept and various studies that she has personally developed. Professionally, Jan recently retired from teaching language and writing to GED and adult ESOL students.
About her life, Jan says, “The most important thing about me is my relationship with my Father God through my Lord Jesus Christ. I am forever grateful to Him for His love, mercy, and grace to me and my family and friends...and the world.”
Jan has been happily married to John Loyd for more than forty years. They have two adult, married children and five lively young grandsons.
