February 2017

“Love is more than an emotion, it is a decision.” -C.S. Lewis

Love. During the month of February, a lot of folks are going to be focused on the idea of love, as Valentine’s Day quickly approaches. I remember when I was growing up, it seemed that picking out the best box of little kid Valentine’s cards, for our elementary school class party, was a really big deal. Which cartoon character was on the coolest looking cards? Did I want ones with jokes on them this year, or was I going for something a little more serious? For a few years, getting the scratch-and-sniff cards was really popular.

After picking out my favorite box of cards from the store, I’d go home excited to get to work. These cards we’re much. I’d fold a sheet of cards along the perforated lined, and not matter how careful I was tearing the paper, it always seemed like so many would rip that I knew someone wouldn’t be getting the perfect card from me. Next, I’d get out my favorite gel pen. Then, I would get out my class list so I could write the name of every single one of my classmates on a card, being careful to spell everyone’s name correctly. Finally, I’d tape a fun-size piece of candy to every card. It’s funny to think about how exciting this yearly ritual could be for my much younger self.
Once elementary school was over and it was time for middle school, where there were no class Valentine’s Day parties, I guess I stopped making sure that, at least once a year, each of my classmates knew that I cared enough about them enough to spend time making sure they each got at least one Valentine’s Day card from a friend. Instead of celebrating this day together as a whole class, we were able to buy carnations that would be delivered to individuals throughout the school day. Some kids would get flower after flower, and others would watch as their desks lay empty. Valentine’s Day had gone from being a fun time with the whole class, to an awkward day when some got to celebrate, while others had to sit back and watch.

Love. Love in the church is a lot more like Valentine’s Day in elementary school than it is in middle school. At the very heart of our Christian faith is love. Because we know the healing and redeeming love of God, our cups are filled so that we can pour out our own love towards others. In the broken and divided world we are living it, it feels like too many have to go through life not getting that flower or card that lets them know someone out there cares for them. As the church, we get to make sure EVERYONE who walks through our doors knows that they are cared for and loved.

Pastor Sarah