Thursday, February 15, 2018
Love Never Fails
Well, I'd planned to write my usual Valentine's Day post, today. Maybe share a few funny retail stories from this last week. As you know, by now, I do love to observe the holiday shopping habits of men. I was going to tell you about the Instant Pot I asked Davis for, which arrived early, and my first cooking experience with that. (Just to be clear here, guys, a woman should never be given a small kitchen appliance for Valentine's Day unless it is upon her clear and specific request.) I was probably going to tell you about our Valentine plans for the evening and things such as that.
But, then, that didn't seem fitting as, on this day when love is celebrated and announced from the rooftops, well, hate was on full display. And in such a horrific, destructive manner which has, sadly, started to lose its shock factor with us.
While it's easy to watch the news and begin to believe that hate has taken a sizable lead over love, I'd like to disagree. Most acts of love don't get 24 hour coverage or minute by minute updates. But, I've observed some beautiful love over the last handful of days in my little corner of the world. Things that weren't televised. Didn't make any paper's headlines. Known by very few, actually. Most don't even have a corresponding picture. But, I think, on this Valentine's Day, which has been viciously attacked by evil, that it would do us all well to hear from love.
Carson and my nephew took their grandmother out for dinner on Valentine's Day. Their Grandpa would be so proud of them if he could see what good men they've grown up to be and how they take care of her. My dear friend happened to be eating at the restaurant at the same time and she captured the sweetness.
We have twin boys, who live across the street. They're six years old and think Carson is pretty great, because he takes up a little time with them when he can. One of them left him a letter in our mailbox.
But, then, that didn't seem fitting as, on this day when love is celebrated and announced from the rooftops, well, hate was on full display. And in such a horrific, destructive manner which has, sadly, started to lose its shock factor with us.
While it's easy to watch the news and begin to believe that hate has taken a sizable lead over love, I'd like to disagree. Most acts of love don't get 24 hour coverage or minute by minute updates. But, I've observed some beautiful love over the last handful of days in my little corner of the world. Things that weren't televised. Didn't make any paper's headlines. Known by very few, actually. Most don't even have a corresponding picture. But, I think, on this Valentine's Day, which has been viciously attacked by evil, that it would do us all well to hear from love.
Carson and my nephew took their grandmother out for dinner on Valentine's Day. Their Grandpa would be so proud of them if he could see what good men they've grown up to be and how they take care of her. My dear friend happened to be eating at the restaurant at the same time and she captured the sweetness.
Blair and John Samuel recently adopted a three year old dog, who, after losing her elderly owner and being badly neglected, needed a new home, where she would feel loved again. I think she's found it.
Carson's Sunday School teachers drove to the other side of the county to see him on his senior night in basketball. I'm sure with 100 other places they needed to be, they still made the effort to show him that he's special to them.
My phone has been dinging all day with messages from our church friends organizing food for someone who's had surgery. There's no lack of support for the family who needs a little help right now.
Monday night, Davis and I went to a going away party for one of our pharmacists who's leaving. Everyone was sad to see him walk out of work today for the last time and, yes, there were tears because of the bond that forms when people spend 40 hours per week together.
My mother works with the older ladies' class at her church and, on Monday, they had a Valentine luncheon, which she and her friend lovingly prepared and then the ladies made treat bags for Valentine's Day for the city's sanitation workers. They remembered those who probably get very little thanks for doing a not so glamourous job.
I had a meeting, a few days ago, with some other mothers of seniors from Carson's school. We discussed ways that the senior class could honor the memory of one of their classmates, who died, a few years ago. As they leave high school, the class wanted to place something on campus that would stand as a reminder of the love they will always have for Sam.
At a lovely bridal tea on Sunday afternoon, I watched as people came in the rain to wish a sweet, young couple the very best in their new life together. Friends, family, church members, co-workers......all showing them that they were loved and showering them as they begin to set up their new home together.
Valentine's Day is also National Organ Donor Day. A sweet family in our community lost their young daughter to an accident, last spring, and there is a race/festival planned soon to honor her memory and the gift of life she left behind for others. Lives were changed because of her family's decision to love unselfishly in the middle of their unbelievable loss.
One of the halls in our church is lined with big boxes full of donated groceries. The groceries will be divided up and given to families in our community, who need a little extra help getting through the month.
Basketball season ended, last night, for Carson's team. There were some red eyes. Maybe not as much for the loss of the game as for the disbanding of a group of guys who've become close and have encouraged each other through a tough season.
These are just a few things that popped into my head first. If I sat and really thought about it, I could likely come up with 1,000 more ways that love has shown itself, lately. You could do the same from where you stand. Put all of them together from all of our different vantage points and it's easy to see that we're surrounded by love. Beautiful, sacrificial, selfless, quiet, loyal love. Nothing splashy or world renowned. Just people going the extra mile. Putting forth effort for the benefit of others. Thinking of someone else ahead of themselves. Being dependable and consistent and thoughtful and encouraging and giving.
People being like Jesus.
It happens all day.
Every day.
So, on this somber Valentine's Day evening, don't start to feel like love is quickly becoming the underdog.
Love is alive and well. And it will always come along behind where hate has spread its chaos and destruction and help bind what's hurt.
"Love never fails."
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Joni,
ReplyDeleteThis is beautifully written, and so true. Love was there in the midst of that horror, too. Love is all around us, every day if we have the eyes to see it!
Joni
ReplyDeleteThanks for your post. You’re right we needed to be reminded that there is love and good all around us. We only have to look for it. The enemy would love for us to only focus on the evil that transpired yesterday and to believe the world is an awful place. We can choose to see the love and good in our world and you can start by looking at all those who responded to the tragedy. There was even love and good in that situation. From the teachers who kept students safe, the first responders who run into danger, trained EMS workers, to the entire hospital staff from doctors to housekeeping and all those in between that take care of the survivors. We may have taken a hit yesterday as a country, but America is at its best when tragedy strikes. Romans 12:21 reminds us: Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Dana Shaw
Your words comfort me, reminding us that Love and selfless acts of kindness is all around us. I need this after what happened yesterday. Thank you Joni, Kathleen in Az
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing so much good news... I love your heart!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the lift, Joni! This one brought tears to my eyes. I'm so happy to see so much love in my hometown and especially loved the mention of the Allie Cat Run and Festival coming up soon to honor our sweet Allie.
ReplyDelete