Happy Valentine's Day

Sick on Valentine's = yummy treat from Mom, get well goodies from the hubby, and a ridiculous mask so he doesn't get sick too!

Okay, so Valentine's Day isn't really my thing. I find the whole thing kinda silly. And even though we weren't able to go to church on Sunday, I really loved the Valentine's Day message, "If You Were in Love, Could You Tell? If So, Who Would You Tell?" The five stages of love were presented:

1. Preparation (focus on taking care of self, perfection, and readying for one's significant other)
2. Infatuation (physical attraction, blind love)
3. Illumination (seeing one another within a more realistic viewpoint)
4. Evaluation (determining next steps - stay or go?)
5. Maturation (making a commitment with full understanding)

Afterwards, it was suggested that a Valentine's Day card could be sent to God. We are asked to "love the Lord thy God...with all thy heart, with all thy soul, and with all thy mind," Matthew 22:40 / Deuteronomy 6:5. So, while I celebrate my love for my family and hubby today, I thought, I'd take the challenge and send my Valentine's Day card to God. So, here it goes...

Dear Lord,
I am speechless at the thought of all you have done and provided for me in my life. You have shown me unconditional love since the moment I was born. You chose me as one of your own long before I chose you. When I have fallen, you have continued to love me and pick me back up. When I have cried to you, you have wrapped me tightly in your arms and rescued my hurting heart. When I have celebrated the blessings in my life, I know they were from you. I want to thank you for all of the beauty and love in my life.

This Valentine's Day marks the 12th Valentine's Day we have celebrated together. I thank you for holding me up through those 12 years. With you by my side I made it through high school and college. I accomplished my dream of becoming a teacher and made it through graduate school. With you by my side I married my best friend, the man you set aside in life just for me. With you by my side, I have faced my most difficult challenge in my life, my journey to our miracle baby.

I thank you for not leaving me, even in my darkest hours, when I seemed so lost and confused by this journey. I thank you Lord, for loving me unconditionally. I thank you for forgiving me for those moments when I doubted or questioned your plan for me. I thank you for this beautiful life and the most perfect love you have shown me on a daily basis. I thank you for the plan you have for mine and Keal's life - we trust you completely - and wait for the day when you give us our miracle. I thank you for sending your son for my soul. I thank you for the hope of everlasting life. I thank you Lord for loving me, regardless of my shortcomings. Thank you, Lord, for everything.
Happy Valentine's,
Courtney

The question was asked in church, "If you were in love, could you tell?" It is my hope and prayer, that admist this challenging journey to you, that my life still reflects a deep and passionate love for my Lord. I hope that people look at my life and can tell that I love the Lord. I hope that through our pain, our life reflects one of hope and faith. It is my daily prayer that my life reflects some strength in the Lord through our journey to you. And one day, it is my most strongest desire to share this love of the Lord with you. It is my prayer that you too will know I love the Lord and that you will embrace Him in your own life. I hope you have as beautiful of a love story with Him as I have.

And as I often do, when my own words fail to express my feelings, I find God speaking to me through lyrics. So, here is a Valentine's song that expresses my love for my Lord and Savior!

You are the song,
You are the song I’m singing.
You are the air,
You are the air I’m breathing
You are the hope,
You are the hope I needed.

If I had no voice,
If I had no tongue,
I would dance for you like the rising sun.
And when that day comes and I see your face.
I will shout your endless glorious praise 

You are the song,
You are the song I’m singing.
You are the air,
You are the air I’m breathing
You are the hope,
You are the hope I needed.