It's Valentine's Day, and I've got a story for you!
But, first, let me tell you about my friend, Dorothy. Several winters ago when Gene was riding his bike around the neighborhood here in Mesa, he stopped to talk to an older gentleman working in his yard. I'm going to make the story of how I met his wife short by just telling you that this couple's summer home is in the same invisibly-small-and-remote town in Washington that Gene's is - Goldendale, Washingon. As a result, Dorothy has become not only my summer, but also my wintertime friend.
Anyway, because of Dorothy's intense shoulder pain from a car accident a year ago, I vacuumed for her yesterday. Later, when she discovered she'd lost one of her pearl earrings, the two of us sat down and fingered through the entire contents of the vacuum bag. (We did this not only once, but two times!) Knowing that Dorothy is struggling with not only physical pain, but also her husband's Alzheimer's, I was so sure God was going to help us find it. Two times we came close to finding it. First finding a florist's pin with a white head, and then an inexpensive necklace bead. The pearl, unfortunately, we did not find.
But, that was yesterday. Today is Valentine's Day - a day when many of us express our love for one another. So, here's the fun part. Dorothy just called me and said she tried looking again for the earring after I left her place last night, but she still could not find it. This morning, giving up on ever seeing it again, she got up and just got dressed. After putting on a red blouse, her eyes glanced down - and there it was. The earring and the backing were just lying there on my bedspread. "It was as though someone had just laid them there," is the way she put it.
I think Dorothy's right. I also think God had a hand in it. This was his way of reminding her that, no matter how difficult her life is right now, He still loves her. He completed one of her favorite sets of earrings today - on Valentine's Day - to remind her.
His Valentine to me is the sound of rain drops tapping out a love letter on the aluminum rooftop of our patio room. A rare occurrence here in Mesa, they remind me of the Pacific Northwest, friends, and family. My prayer is that you will see His love for you today, as well. He loves us, and today is His gift to all.
And, hey! If he shows up for you in a surprising way today, will you share it on this blog?
Happy Valentine's Day!
Love never fails. . . And now these three remain: Faith, hope and love. But the greatest of there is love. I Corinthians 13:8, 13
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