Not just Valentine's Day, but every day

Happy Valentine's Day, people! Or...not so happy day? I'm one of those people who, as I crossed the threshold from elementary to middle school, and even more so as I went from middle school to high school, began to despise this day. I found it sad and somewhat repulsive that so many girls found their worth and felt loved simply because some guy who typically lasted about a week, if that, would get them flowers or candy and some cheap (albeit, adorable) teddy bear. Ick. Gross. Not my thing. I loved sharing Valentine's Day with friends and family though, but the whole relationship aspect of it always made the day seem shallow overall.

Fast-forward to now, and Valentine's Day still isn't my favorite holiday, but I've learned to appreciate it. I've always gotten loads of love from my family and closest friends, and the Husband (who shows me love every day, not just this day!) takes advantage of the fact that he loves giving gifts to spoil me a bit. Gotta say, I love it ;-)

Oh, but the ultimate Lover... Love wouldn't even be a topic of conversation if it weren't for Him! My capacity to love my husband, my family, my friends, my enemies, strangers? It would be absolutely non-existent had He not first shown me what true love is. My Savior relentlessly pursued me and showed me showered me with a love that extended beyond feeling and into actions that have eternal repercussions. He took my heart, hardened by worldly perceptions of love, and He replaced it with one that was soft and not only able to let love in, but to give love out. He has shown Himself to be actually jealous for me, wanting me, choosing me! Even when I've attempted to "break things off" He has been right there. Talk about a consistent love!! So for Jesus, who is love, I am ever so grateful.

I know it's so easy to throw around on Valentine's Day these "helpful" sentiments of Oh, don't feel down or be upset because you don't have a man/boyfriend/fiance/husband/boo-thang; you have even better because you have JESUS! While that might be true, our humanity doesn't cease because we're saved. I think it's even more beautiful to come to Him transparent and broken and wanting and needing, and then be absolutely amazed when He fills us with exactly what our heart truly longs for--more of Him. Not just February 14th of every year, but every single day. 

Are you doing anything for Valentine's Day this year?

Get to know Him!

First Valentine's Day with the (now) Husband.

February 2009.

Valentine's Day 2011.

Some Music for ya...

How He Loves by David Crowder Band

Looking for Love by Trip Lee

May you feel loved today and every day!!

32-32-32

Aww man!! Friday flew by so quickly! I meant to post this yesterday, but completely forgot. Alas. So how bout for a moment you just forget that today's Saturday, okay? Okay. :-)

So, 32!! That was my number for the day for 3 different reasons...

Friday, February 1, 2013 was the 32nd day of the year.
Can you believe that we're in February already!? Goes to show how quickly time passes. I'm thinking back to my post about God providing new mercies each day and I am SO thankful that His Word is just as true today as it was the day I wrote that post, because I gotta be honest with you guys, I have been slacking on the things that I set out to do at the beginning of the year. HOWEVER, God has given me another day, which equals another opportunity to do what I should be. I said yes, I'm going to do these things, and I will let my yes mean yes and keep my word! (Sound familiar...?)


Friday, February 1, 2013 marked week 32 of my pregnancy.
Happy 32 weeks to my sweet girl! Eight more weeks til her due date; I absolutely cannot believe it! Another sign of how quickly time flies by. The Husband and I are busy preparing for her arrival. Finishing up the registry, finalizing details for our move, paying OB bills...lol. Babies are expensive pre-arrival, and as I understand, it only goes up from there! But it's so, so worth it. I celebrated baby girl's 32nd week in my womb with a doctor's appointment that I had the pleasure of going to with my madre :-) Baby girl's heartbeat was nice and strong, and she was kicking like crazy, which is typical, really. Got to go to BabiesRUs after that, and we looked at some strollers (I have got to decide which one to go with!!) Also got to hang out with my middle bro (I call him Lil Boy, even though he's WAY taller than me, and he's 17 years old.) That had nothing to do with 32 weeks of pregnancy, but who cares! We had a good time hanging out :-)


Friday, February 1, 2013 I had my devotion in the 32nd Psalm.
I've been working my way through the Psalms since the beginning of the year, and since it is the 32nd day of the year it only makes sense that I'd land in chapter 32! It was actually a great read (I mean all of the Word is a great read, but you know what I mean) because when I woke up this morning I was reflecting on the Husband and I's relationship, which officially began in February 2009--four years ago!! I can't think about our dating, engagement, and current marriage without also considering and praising God for how awesome and amazing the Father's grace and mercy is!! We had a less than perfect relationship, but as I look back, all I see is grace grace grace grace grace. Over and over again. So waking up thinking about this, then opening my Bible to Psalm 32, I found the first few verses to be oh-so appropriate:

Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed in the one whose sin the LORD does not count against them and in whose spirit is no deceit.

Amen and amen to that! :-)


Given we don't have a 13th month, there's no 13-13-13 as far as special days this year (sorry people getting married in 2013! lol), but I think it's so cool that I had a 32-32-32 day! Enjoy your weekend, everyone!