Happy Valentine’s Day, Abba
Dear Abba,
Happy Valentine’s Day. I have come to realize that, although You are truly the love of my life, I have never sent You a Valentine. I know about love, because You have been writing me Valentines for a long time. You told me::
“If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails” (1 Corinthians 13:1-8).
You have also told me:
“Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.
“This is how we know that we live in him and he in us: He has given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God. And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.
“God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. We love because he first loved us” (I John 4:7-19).
Your Valentine’s Day messages have not only been words, either, beloved Abba. To prove Your love, You sent Your only Son into the world to become a living, breathing, Valentine of flesh, who told me about You and then died a horrifying death to make sure I understood the magnitude of Your love and my need. He died for my sin so I wouldn’t have to.
You were pierced for my transgressions; You were crushed for my iniquities; the punishment that brought me peace was enacted upon You; and by Your wounds I am healed (Isaiah 53:5).
Then He came back to reassure me that it was all true!
You told me to believe so that I would not perish, but so I would have everlasting life with You. I do believe. Help me to fully, completely, unconditionally believe.
And what have You asked in return for Your sacrifice? For me to love You and to love people. How is it that the Lord of all things, the Creator of heaven and earth, the Mighty God yearns for my fellowship, wants my puny, fractured love? Help me to offer a love that You deserve.
How is it that You trust me to pass Your message along to others? I can’t help but tell others! Give me powerful words, attractive words, anointed words. Make my life a testimony of Your love.
And what is Your desire, dear Abba? How can I make You happy? “To do justice, to love mercy, and to walk humbly” with You (Micah 6:8).
Valentines are supposed to be shaped like hearts, so here is my heart, precious Valentine, Abba Father. It is Yours. And even though I know You have lovingly sent the same Valentine to many, many people, it’s OK. After all, we’re all family. Right?
El Shaddai, Prince of Peace, Lord of Love, Morning Star
Elevate me to heavenly realms where You are
My desire is to walk ev’ry day by Your side
Be my Friend, be my Source, be my Comfort and Guide
Mighty One, Yahweh’s Son, and my Kinsman Redeemer
My Beloved Intercessor and Deliverer
You’re my Cleft in the Rock, You’re my Guard in the Night,
You’re my Port in the Storm, You’re my Beacon of Light
I will sing in the shadow of Your wings
I will rest in Your blessed assurance
Safe from harm in the Everlasting Arms
I will dance in this Holy Romance
“Holy Romance” from Carry My Tears: Isaiah Speaks, Beverly R. Green (2018)
Happy Valentine’s Day, Abba!
Love, Beverly
God bless you, and happy Valentine’s Day!
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