Here we Are Again

© jb katke

Every year, about this time memories kick into gear. Valentines Day.

So many past reflections of Valentines. Remember the sweet sentiments our children brought home from school mandated by the teacher? Perhaps too, the child returning home, broken hearted over the coveted valentine that never came by a certain person.

It’s nice to have a home where we are accepted and tears can flow freely.

One Valentines Day in particular was an oops. As my daughter and I were talking a woman unlocked our door and entered with her arms full of cleaning gear.

“Marge?”

“No, you must have the wrong house.”

Thinking he had arranged a treat for me, I called Dave at work. He laughed at the situation. Still today, I fail to see the humor. Some stranger had a key to our home.

Why oh why, did I not let her go about her business?

Many moons ago, I experienced that aforementioned broken heart. My job as receptionist was to accept and distribute all the beautiful incoming flowers the privileged employees were receiving from their loved one. None for yours truly, I felt special to no one. Oh yes, I regret to admit, Dave heard about it. He hasn’t made that mistake again. He has become more vocal in how much I mean to him. Expressed love was all that I needed.

That experience taught me something. What about widows? They have memories of expressed love they no longer hear. The following year, the only year, I rectified that. A friend of mine, a kind and gentle woman who was now working to support herself. Money was tight and I imagine her life had taken a hit at losing her husband. Having a tight budget ourselves, I purchased a few flowers, put them in a small vase and took them to her place of employment.

She was surprised and touched by my thinking of her. We have since lost touch with each other. Man, I wish I was better at staying in touch with friends! If my words resonate with you, bringing an individual to mind, I hope you do something special for them. Lifting up another brings smiles to both your faces.

About that feeling loved thing. We are. Look into the reflection in your mirror. Our Creator thought enough about each individual on the face of this earth to bring us into being. That’s a lot of thinking folks. We need each other and we need him.

Happy Valentines every day.

Tale of Two Women

Outside world

Donna and Nora both loved Jesus . But how they expressed that love was worlds apart. Both women felt their lives reflected their faith.

I met them at a women’s Bible study. Donna’s attendance was sporadic, so I came to know Nora better.

Nora was the wife of a church leader. She attended every function the church had. 

Her words and actions spoke of her spiritual beliefs. “Never would I darken the door of a bar.”

On The Other Hand

On the other hand, Donna church attendance was as sporadic as her Bible study habit. When she came to church, she was minus her husband.

He felt no need of this church thing. But he was aware that she chose to submit to him.

So he insisted she come to the bar with him.

Donna, desiring to please her man, came. Armed.

As he sat at the bar chatting it up with the bartender, Donna instigated her own conversations. Going from table to table she visited with others and handed them information about Jesus.

Donna’s husband no longer felt the need for her to accompany him.

Following God

Both of these women were careful to follow God the best way they knew. One was concerned about not making God look bad. The other concentrated on loving people.

Regardless of where you are  in life, the hardest thing to comprehend is how God tells different people different things.

It’s all about how we interpret life and how we daily live it out.