My Most Romantic Valentine

A little deviation from my usual post...

I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine.

—Song of Solomon 6:3 

“Really? But I’m trying to write my blog post.” Still in my pajamas and propped up on pillows, I hammer away at the keyboard—in between checking Facebook, of course. I read my friends’ posts and like their Valentine’s pictures.

“Shut it down. Let’s go for a walk.”

“Huh?  It’s 8:30 in the morning.”

“Put your sneakers on.”

“But what about my sprain?  The doctor said…”

“Put your sneakers on.” (Psalm 37:23)

I trust you, so I dress quickly. I slip on my sneakers. Hmm…my foot doesn’t feel too bad. I think I can do this. (Philippians 4:13)

"Could we drive to the dumpster first?" I ask. "I have a pile of junk to get rid of." (Ephesians 4:31)

You smile and nod, as if that were all part of your plan in the first place.

I drive to the barnyard dumpster and am careful to avert the muddy ruts left by those who have been here before. I would hate to get stuck in this mess. Quickly, I throw out a bag of garbage and a box of things that weren't working. Whew!  It feels good to pitch them.

Within minutes, we park near the pond and make our way ‘round the rim. We watch a pair of ducks frolicking on the water.  Then I see him. My friend, the blue heron.  His eyes meet mine right before he lifts from the water’s edge and gracefully glides toward the ducks. He hovers briefly over the pair and then lands on the other side of the pond where he stands sentinel once again.

I breathe in the cool air and something within me stirs—like a rush of energy, an invigorating sense of renewed hope—of renewed youth. (Psalm 103:5)

We return home and I notice the pile of dishes left from the night before.

“Let’s tackle them together.”

Soon we are wiping dishes and dancing to Toby Mac’s “Me Without Me” (Jeremiah 32:41). How we laugh, how we sing for joy (Psalm 126:2a GNT)!

We are done in no time.  Somehow I feel I have the strength to run through a troop and leap over a wall when I am with you (Psalm 18:29).

“Let’s put the chicken in the crockpot.”

We mince garlic and sprinkle oregano—and work up an appetite.

You bring forth fresh strawberries to snack on. You fill my mouth with this luscious fruit. So satisfying, so good for me (Psalm 103:5). You draw me close and whisper, “I love you with an everlasting love” (Jeremiah 31:3).

“No one has ever loved me the way you do (John 15:13). You know me so well. You know what I’m thinking. You can finish my sentences.  Heck, you know what I’m going to say before the first word comes out of my mouth (Psalm 139:1-4)! You know that I’m thinking about my ‘to do’ list. You know I need to reconcile my bank statement and how much I dread it, how I worry about making ends meet.”

“Don’t be anxious (Philippians 4:6),” you say. “You know I provide liberally to meet your every need” (Philippians 4:19).

I plug in the calculator and tick off every check, every deposit.  And just as you promise, I am in the black.  

“You are such a good provider.  You are so faithful. (Psalm 36:5) There is no one else like you.”

As I gather up my checkbook and calculator, I catch glimpse of the heart-shaped box on the table. I smile as I remember our agreement, in which I write wishes on strips of paper and slip them in the box and sometime later you surprise me when I least expect it (Psalm 37:4).

You are full of surprises—like flowers in the middle of winter. Flowers in pink, my favorite color.  Flowers blooming right in my kitchen. You are marvelous (Psalm 139:14).

The next thing on my “to do” list is sweep the floors. You help, because that’s how you are (Psalm 28:7). And as we work, you remind me that sweeping the dirt into the dustpan and throwing it away is how you handle my offenses (Psalm 103:12). You never keep a record of my wrongs (1 Corinthians 13:4).

“Your record with me is as white as snow (Isaiah 1:18),” you say, pointing toward the window.

And I look. There on the hillside snow falls gently. And peace washes over me (John 14:27).

“Now it is time to rest. Put your feet up” (Matthew 11:28).

“I’m not worthy of all your kindness—” (Genesis 32:10).

“Shhh,” you silence me and motion toward the recliner (Psalm 23:2-3).

I comply and you hand me a book. Tucked inside is your Valentine—a poem you’ve penned especially for me:

O my love, how beautiful you are! There is no flaw in you (Song of Solomon 4:7)! Nothing will ever be able to separate you from my love (Romans 8:39).

 

I sit there allowing your words to seep into my soul, while the snow falls gently outside the window and the scent of lemon-chicken wafts through the air. I feel warm and I know it’s time.

I log on and type: “I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine” (Song of Solomon 6:3).

And somehow I know your beloved spirit will be with me wherever I go—like a pair of ducks swimming through life in tandem.

Thank You, God the Father, for Your watchful eye, for knowing when I go astray, and for loving me so much that You gave Your only begotten Son to take the penalty for my sins that I may receive Your gracious gift of eternal life (John 3:16).  Thank You, God the Son, for giving Your life for my sins, for no greater love has any man than to lay down his life for his friends (John 15:13). Thank You, God the Spirit, for leading me to repentance (Romans 8:14), for guiding me, and sticking beside me throughout my life. Thank You, God, for everything.  I can’t imagine “Me Without You.” I love YOU!