I just happened upon this story earlier this week and couldn't help but share it on Valentine's Day. The commercialism of February 14th can be a little too "syrupy-sweet" sometimes, so it's great to be reminded of how love is to be real, tangible and unselfish. I can't for the life of me remember where I read this, but it is an incredibly touching story told by a widow . . . about a faithful love:
"My sweet husband, John, and I were married for 46 years. Each Valentine's Day, he'd send me the most beautiful flowers containing a note with five simple words: 'My love for you grows.' Four children, 46 bouquets and a lifetime of love were his legacy to me when he passed away two years ago. On my first Valentine's Day alone, 10 months after I lost him, I was shocked to receive a gorgeous bouquet addressed to me...from John. Angry and heartbroken, I called the florist to say there had been a mistake. The florist replied, 'No, ma'am, it's not a mistake. Before he passed away, your husband prepaid for many years and asked us to guarantee that you'd continue getting bouquets every Valentine's Day.' With my heart in my throat, I hung up the phone and read the attached card. It said, 'My love for you is eternal."
I know . . . sniff, sniff . . . just use your sleeve like you're wiping sweat. Don't you hate it when your eyes sweat and there are no onions around to blame it on? Big-time props to "John" for providing us with a great example of true, faithful and thoughtful love ( and for making the rest of us look woefully inadequate in the romance department ).
For more on where unselfish & eternal love comes from and can be experienced, check out 1 John 4:7-21 . . . because after all, "we love because he (God) first loved us."
Hallmark & Russell Stover can have their little conspiracy each February, because it's always great to show your loved ones how much they mean to you with sweet gifts and gestures . . . but chocolates are just temporary as they ( hopefully ) end up being burned off at the YMCA. Even faithful flowers eventually fade . . . but the love that comes from God is forever.
Each of us has been given a message by the Creator of the universe that says "my love for you is eternal." The key for our relationships now, and for our eternity, is that we each take it to heart, accept it, treasure it and share it.
