Valentine's Day

Last Friday we got to go on a date for Valentine's Day. Yay - what a blessing this was! :) My hubby surprised me by getting a babysitter and taking me to one of our favorite restaurants - PF Changs. We went there 3 years ago on Valentine's Day, and it was special to eat there again . . . 3 years and 2 kids later. We also got to go see a movie - The King's Speech - which we thoroughly enjoyed. Thanks to the Schumacher family who watched our boys for us.

Since we celebrated over the weekend, I wasn't expecting anything special yesterday, especially since Monday evening was my bi-monthly grocery shopping day. What a surprise it was to return home around 8:30 p.m. from shopping and to be greeted by Kendrick holding a rose saying, "A flower for Mommy! A flower for Mommy!" I turned to Kyle, who also had a rose, and then looked over at Camden. He was sitting on the couch in his boppy pillow with a rose against his chest, slobbering all over the stem. Be still my heart. I LOVE these boys and my man. God is so good to give them to me.

As we've been reflecting on Valentine's Day, I have been pondering anew just how great God's love is for me. My love for my husband and sons pales in comparison to His love for me.

1 John 4:9
"In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins."

I have the privilege of planning the worship services at our church. A few months ago I came across this video clip on Bob Kauflin's website entitled, The Prodigal. (Just tried to upload it but blogger wouldn't let me.) We were able to show it on Sunday and include it in the worship service. Before we watched it, Kyle read the passage in Luke about the prodigal son. God not only cleansed me from my sin, He made me His daughter. There is no greater display of love.

"For this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found . . . and such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God . . . Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!"