One Woman's Faith

How could the day have begun with such frustration, such longing? She is on the backside of her forties, living for Jesus, married, and has more blessings than she can count. And, it was Valentine’s Day. So why had her heart found itself so sorrowful? She needed to know. As a cyclone of emotions whirled through her soul, her mind wandered back over her day. Her Father seemed to gently guide her memory to an early morning moment – love had switched tracks with disappointment and derailed her focus. She had built up an event in her mind that turned out to be a non-event. No flowers, no grand gestures of love – an argument was left in their stead. All day she had allowed herself to walk with the scoundrel comparison. The smooth criminal was dressed for success, and had happily stolen pieces of her peace with every “why can’t my husband be sweet like that?” It had been easy to feel justified in her envy – and, in her disappointment – until she remembered the truth of His word. Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. She knew her husband loved her, she knew she loved him too. So, she told him all that was in her heart, and listened as he shared his with her. She let go of comparison’s hand and held on to her sweetheart’s – the precious man her Maker had given her to love and cherish. Peace restored, focus regained, and love revived. A little later that evening, when the waiter handed her a complimetary rose and wished her a Happy Valentine’s Day, she knew. She knew her Father had been listening intently to her heart. She knew His love for her was true and steady, it was strong and perfect. She knew His banner over her would always be love. He would be her forever Valentine, and she was content in the knowing.