God’s Valentine

When I was young, Valentine’s Day meant word-covered heart candy, stuffed animals. a small class party, and the pain-staking discovery of who really liked you and who didn’t. The popular kids never lacked for a stack of cards, smiles, and boasts of new crushes, while I learned to hide a crushed heart and small stacks with a big smile. I never really liked Valentine’s Day…until I came to know Jesus.

The circumstances behind this post are irrelevant to any but myself, yet it may speak to someone’s heart, or someone you know. The last thing I want to do is post some poem that reflects certain modern music with shallow lyrics and easy-answer solutions. Have you ever noticed a song that grabs you with its melody or rhythm, then seems to drop into lyrics that say, “just sing this, believe that, take two verses and it’ll be better in the morning”? Hashtag “not real life.”

So…as I was praying this morning, this came to my thoughts. It’s not meant to be trite…but it’s so hard to squeeze profound truth and God’s love into a few lyrics briefly. May the reality of His love be yours today, and may He use you as a dispenser of His love to others. You never know what’s hiding behind their smile.

She woke and met the morn with gray
Her sigh meant more than she could pray
As thoughts began to flood her mind
They replayed hurts and things unkind

Too tired to cry but not to care
Daily the fight to combat despair
The echoes of longings unmet in life
The memories of heartache, struggles and strife

Dear God, did You choose this path for me?
Or am I to blame for this misery?
How can I go on with pain so deep?
Where is this love I was told I would reap?

Imperfectly sown but true to the core
I’ve given my best yet could always give more
But it’s never enough their actions do say
Not a hint, or a word, or a smile they convey

Then my thoughts were interrupted by a gentle word above
“You have overlooked My goodness and true tokens of My love
Before your eyes have opened I have scattered through your day
Reminders of My Presence and that I hear you when you pray

You feel your hands have not been held and long for an embrace
You feel your heart will never heal and throbs with empty space
But you must believe my words that I have held you from the womb
It’s your heart that I have died for and can fill ‘til no more room

The sunsets you so rarely miss
Are glorious displays of heaven’s kiss
The music that you love to play
I’ll sing to you much more one day

Is not My love and promise true?
Have you forgotten I died for you?
I catch your tears each day they come
But one day soon I’ll wipe each one

Now fill your heart with all My love
You have my Spirit, a gift from above
Take in My words and count them sure
I’m holding, embracing, eternally secure.

And soon will come your wedding day
My bride adorned and on display
Such joy you’ll have with no more pain
Each loss you’ve known will have turned to gain.