Smiles for Valentine’s

Ann H GabhartAnn's Posts, One Writer's Journal 11 Comments

“Romance is the glamour which turns the dust of everyday life into a golden haze.” ~Elinor Glyn

Valentine’s Day is in a couple of days. It’s a day for romance. Guys get girls flowers and candy. But it also celebrates love in other ways too. Moms and Dads get kids toys and candy. Friends give each other hugs and smiles. Church members remember the Greatest Love.

“God is love.” That’s part of verse 8 in 1 John 4. If you went to Sunday school when you were a kid or if you taught Sunday school or Vacation Bible School, that might be the first Bible verse you memorized or that as a teacher you helped your kids remember. 1 John 4 is full of verses about the love of God and about sharing that love with those around us. The first part of verse 7 says “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God.”

I know most people consider Valentine’s Day a time for romantic couples, and that is great fun for those with special someones in their lives. But I don’t think Valentine’s Day is only about couples. It can be a great motivator for sharing love and good cheer with those around us in a brotherly or sisterly love kind of way or as friend to friend.

There are friends, there is family and then there are friends that become family. ~Unknown

Those of you who stop by to read my words each week are friends I rejoice in getting to know through your comments. Thank you. I’d pitch a piece chocolate or a rose to you if I could. Or maybe I’ll just think about you while I eat a red wrapped peppermint pattie that one of the sweet church ladies brought to share with us this morning. Love can be shared in many ways.

Sometimes even while you’re walking down a path in the middle of winter, you can spot a heart in the most unexpected places like this heart I found on a tree trunk. Do you think a squirrel trimmed out the heart for his true love? Whatever, it made me smile and take a picture.

Smiles can be as good as chocolate sometimes. I shared some of those smiles from an internet pass-around post in our church bulletin this morning. So, I decided to share them with you too. Hope they do make you smile.

What Kids Know about Love

Concerning why love happens between two particular people —

► “No one is sure why it happens, but I heard it has something to do with how you smell. That’s why perfume and deodorant are so popular.” (Jan, 9)

► “I think you’re supposed to get shot with an arrow or something, but the rest of it isn’t supposed to be so painful.” (Harlen, 8)

► “One of the people has freckles and so he finds somebody else who has freckles too.” (Andrew, 6)

On What Falling in Love is like —

► “Like an avalanche where you have to run for your life.” (Roger 9)

► “If falling in love is anything like learning how to spell, I don’t want to do it. It takes too long.” (Leo, 7)

► “It gives me a headache to think about that stuff. I’m just a kid. I don’t need that kind of trouble.” (Kenny 7)

How to Make Love Endure —

► “Don’t forget your wife’s name…That will mess up love.” (Roger, 8)

► “Be a good kisser. It might make your wife forget that you never take out the trash.” (Bobby, 9)

► “Don’t say you love somebody and then change your mind. Love isn’t like picking what movie you want to watch.” (Natalie, 9)

Wishing you love this week. May you rejoice in romance if such is part of your life. May you appreciate your friends. May you have family to love. And a little chocolate to tickle your tongue. But may you most of all remember that “God is Love.”

What bit of Valentine advice would you give a kid?

 

Comments 11

  1. Love is a choice. You must choose to love that someone each and every day even when times are tough and you don’t feel like it. This is not always an easy thing but it is vital.

  2. Thank you for this post. I absolutely love the wisdom spoken from children & their view of situations. They make me smile. I think it’s awesome about the unplanned revival, (which has lasted over 160 hours), in Wilmore, KY. People are driving in from other states. I heard that more churches were opening their doors, yesterday, in Wilmore to participate, because people were waiting in line to get in the building. It’s obviously God, getting our attention and showing us that he exists, is among us, & showing love to everyone this Valentine’s week. He could not have picked a more perfect time. Many people have accepted Christ this week. Happy Valentine’s Day!

    1. Post
      Author

      The news of that revival at Wilmore is amazing, Katherine. The Spirit is moving and it’s wonderful that it started with young people and I’ve heard it has spread to other campuses. May we all be uplifted and feel closer to the Lord as we remember the importance of loving one another and kindness.

      So glad you enjoyed the post and the smiles.

    1. Post
      Author

      That would be great advice, Connie. So many children these days struggle with self confidence and self worth. They just had a news piece on the local station here about a couple of middle school kids committing suicide. Makes my heart hurt.

  3. Your post written yesterday, Ann, and the comments from Lavon and Pamela earlier today, are like special Valentine’s Day gifts for me. I appreciate the wisdom and loving thoughts that you share, even though we aren’t able to see each other face to face. Thank you!

    1. Post
      Author

      So glad you enjoyed the posts, Roberta, and comments from you readers always makes them better. Good words are always good Valentine’s gifts, although a little chocolate is nice too. 🙂

      Thanks for stopping by to join in the conversation.

  4. Love unconditionally, as Jesus loves us. Don’t give up.
    Here’s another cute kids valentine story for you… when Courtney (my granddaughter) was in kindergarten a little neighborhood boy gave her a heart shaped necklace for Valentines Day. She accepted it, gave him a hug and very seriously said, “Thank you. I really really LIKE you too, but I’m just not ready for LOVE yet.”
    Have a great week Ann…. I’m enjoying this un-February weather today!

    1. Post
      Author

      That advice to love as Jesus loves is great advice, Lavon. And not giving up on the good in people is great to keep in mind too.

      I love your story about your granddaughter. Sounds as if she was wise beyond her years.

      Stay safe if those storms show up later this week.

  5. Love like today is the last day on this earth every day and never go to bed angry.

    I don’t have a special someone in my life anymore but you reminded me I am loved and to pass that on…so I’m doing that now…thank you Ann for your words, thoughtfulness, kindness and love. Happy Valentine’s Day everyone! Thank you Lord for loving me!!

    1. Post
      Author

      I’m so glad you feel loved, Pamela. All of us can feel the Lord’s love if we open our hearts to do so. And if we would all pass it on, the world would definitely be a better place.

      I like your advice about loving and not holding onto anger or bad feelings.

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