I know I'm not the only one out there who finds today's holiday less than enchanting. I'm no Valentine's grinch, but suffice to say that I've never understood how this random day could make a difference: If you're in love, it doesn't make you feel more loved, and if you're not in love, it drills another big hole in your heart (right over the one that was finally healing from New Year's Eve).
But this morning, I found an answer I'd never considered as to how this day could truly be a day of MORE love than we had or felt yesterday: David Kuo is running an amazing challenge on his blog, and I'm thinking and praying about taking it. I don't want to jump into this lightly--I've felt surges of altruism before that faded as quickly as they came (let's all say a collective prayer of thanks that the city of Philadelphia never let me become a Big Sister back in the day--who knows where that poor girl would be?) But I wonder if entering into this type of commitment--investing in someone's life in a tangible way--might not be the key to the love I woke up looking for this morning? Just a thought.
9 comments:
You know I am always trying to think of a way to make this day significant in a different way too. David's challenge seems like a great idea. I
That is a very cool challenge and a good way to find meaning in this day if that's what you're looking for. For sure.
This is great, Trish. For more inspiration on tangibly loving, you'd probably enjoy reading this: http://www.shaungroves.com/shlog/comments/and_then_there_was_hope/
Also, do yourself a favor while you're there and read some of Shaun Groves' other recent entries as well, in particular "Judy's God" and "Small Enough."
~Valentine’s Day is a great excuse to dress up in your red and pink and white striped sweater with your hot pink flowered skirt and wear your cool heart tights (that I found in Target’s little girl section because I am short enough to wear the girls size 12 – 14) and tie a pink ribbon in your hair like you were six again. It is a delightful way to hear you seven year old daughter declare, “Mom, you look like a beautiful Valentine’s card!”
~Valentine’s Day is a great way to get your kids to practice writing their names 32 times on a box of Valentine’s Day cards.
~Valentine’s Day is an excellent excuse to declare it a holiday from home schooling and tell the kids to dress up in red and pink because we are going on a trip!
~Valentine’s Day is a way to bring cheer to others by taking your kids to a nursing home, or hospital or even the mall and letting them give out all those Valentine’s cards that they worked so painstakingly on. The small token of affection that is given in love and received with a smile brings joy to your heart and tears to your eyes.
~Valentine’s Day is another excuse to give you kids small presents that you made or picked out especially for them and tell them how much you love them, and yet God loves them so much more.
~Valentine’s Day is just like any other holiday: what you make it. I choose to make it not about me.
~I hope your day is blessed with joy!~
That's a wonderful idea!
Oh my gosh, thank you! I was in a completely crabby awful mood this morning. And I read your post and then David's and went to the Compassion site, and I found a little boy who is only a few days older than my R. And it put my whole stupid, selfish mood in perspective, and I knew that it was the right thing to do (to sign up). Thank you so much!
I think that challenge is a great idea my family sponsor's a child through world vision
Trish,
I hope you do this. My husband and I debated sponsoring a Compassion child and I told him basically the same thing you're concerned with - if we sign up we need to really commit! After a bumpy start we began writing letters to the child after dinner (the one time my husband and I are both in the same place and not distracted with other stuff) and it's been great.
Best wishes with your decision!
Jenny
Way better than gifts and flowers! (I draw the line at chocolate.)
AS contributed to my sister's Peace Corps project last week, and though it wasn't specifically for V-Day, it was a great gift to me.
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