Written on My Heart

I love Valentine's Day.  I love the hearts, the pinks and reds, the sparkle, the flowers, and of course the chocolate.  Now, I know some think that it's a "conspiracy" created by card companys to get us to buy, buy, buy. But I think it's just too much fun! How often can you put red, pink, purple, white, and a splash of glitter into your wardrobe and it be ok?  Or fill a room with paper hearts and doyles?  To me, Valentine's is a fabulous day to celebrate love- not just "girlfriend/boyfriend" love, but love itself. 

Growing up, I have spent almost all of my Vday's with my family.  My mom made sure to make this a day about the love of our family.  It also happens to be Riley's birthday, so of course it makes this day double special.  Each Vday, my mom will make a nice meal at home, set the table with candles, flowers, maybe some sequins..nothing short of beautiful and enchanting. On each plate there would be a box of chocolates and maybe a small gift.  It was a time of being together, of making an ordinary day into something elegant and extraordinary. I love Valentine's Day.

 Aside from our era costume party we had last year :), this Vday is one to challenge the rest.  For starters, God revealed His immeasurable love by allowing us to see our tiny baby girl.  We saw everything- from her spine, her tiny fingers and toes, and even the four beating chambers of her heart. It was nothing short of amazing! But my Valentine's day began before I saw that precious gift.  On Sunday, I was once again reminded of the greatest love story any of us can ever experience. As a pre V-day gift, Clinton so graciously sang the special for church- "I'd Rather Have Jesus." As he sang those beautiful words, I was not only overcome with my love for Clinton, but at the love Christ has for us.  I know I've said over and over, but it never gets any less amazing- that Clinton was a gift from God to me. Just as this tiny baby is now.  As I reflected on the the overwhelming and inexpressible joy I have knowing Christ as my Savior, I can boast in those precious words "I'd rather be led by His nail pierced Hands."  For those tender hands have held mine time and time again. 

This Valentine's Day let's celebrate not only our loved ones, but the love story that Christ is writing ever so gently on our hearts. With none other than those precious, peirced hands.

Love you!