“Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.” I John 4:7-8
We’ve enjoyed getting ready for Valentine’s Day. Each year I’m able to find a little time to make something to add to our collection of Valentine’s decorations that I get very happy to put up during this bleak cold time.
I’ve been learning much about love lately, my teachers being these little dears at my feet, constantly needing…demanding….wanting my love. My response is, most of the time, unloving.
“Love is patient, love is kind….
…it is not rude, it does not seek its own interests, it is
not quick-tempered, it does not brood over injury .”
1 Corinthians 13:4-6
“Owe nothing to anyone, except to love one another.” Romans 13:8
As I go about my day I find myself whispering…”more love, God give me more love”. When I hit the hay at the end of my work day I may still have a dirty house and wet clothes in the washing machine, but I want to at least find that I filled the hours with “more love“. I wish that were easier.
“And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.” Be hospitable to one another without grumbling.” I Peter 4:8-9
This month I sat down and wrote 14 little love notes to Phil, each one telling him what I love about him. It’s been a small gift to myself as well as to him; taking a few minutes to think only of him and put down on paper all of what I want him to know that I don’t always take the time to tell him, all the ways he is a blessing to me. And everyday I ask God for more love.
“….and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.” I Corinthians 13:2
The girls have been very sick this week, everyone has. Fevers, a terrible cough and runny noses. With my Mama here I was able to get these Valentines made for Lily to take to school next week. She missed 4 days this week. Finally today everyone seems to be feeling better so I do expect she will get to return on Monday and take these little cuties with her on Tuesday to give to her friends.
I do declare my poor Mama is gonna quit coming up here in the winter! The last time she came we lost power and had the worst ice and fog anyone had seen in years. This time, sick babies! I kept telling her how nice it had been, warm, no snow…well, I guess we fixed that didn’t we?
“Many waters cannot quench love,
Nor can the floods drown it.”
Song of Solomon 8:7
After the long naps the girls are thankfully taking this week, they have been eager to do “a craft”. So I’m still getting out the construction paper and paint and finding things for them to make.
“Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you.
You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you. These things I command you, that you love one another.” John 15:13-17
They had a great time painting these hearts to make a St. Valentine banner. Newspaper makes the best quick and cheap craft paper!
“So faith, hope, love remain, these three;
but the greatest of these is love.”
1 Corinthians, 13:13
“Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.” John 15:13
Links I used for our craft time:
Valentine Coffee Filter Snowflakes
Brownie Recipe and make the frosting, mmmm, you’ll want to make the frosting.
I love the passages you intersperse with your thoughts. Beautiful. And what is in the vase?? It”s so pretty!
What a “love”ly blessing to have your mom visiting at such a time. Isn’t God good?
What is that lovely combination of tulle and ribbon in the vase? And Yay for moms who come to stay for a while!
It’s a tutu in the vase! We are short on a lot of things around here, but tutus are not one of them. I often find myself wringing that one and always think “this looks like a pretty bouquet of flowers” I finally had the occasion to stuff it into a vase! 🙂 And get it off the floor.