Do All Things with Great Love

According to Wikipedia, Valentine's Day, also called Saint Valentine's Day or the Feast of Saint Valentine, is celebrated annually on February 14. Originating as a Western Christian feast dayhonoring one or two early saints named Valentinus, Valentine's Day is recognized as a significant cultural, religious, and commercial celebration of romance and romantic love in many regions around the world, although it is not a public holiday in any country.

Martyrdom stories associated with Valentines connected to February 14, are presented inmartyrologies, including a written account of Saint Valentine of Rome’s imprisonment for performing weddings for soldiers, who were forbidden to marry and for ministering to Christianspersecuted under the Roman Empire. According to legend, during his imprisonment Saint Valentine restored sight to the blind daughter of his judge, and before his execution he wrote her a letter signed "Your Valentine" as a farewell.

As with many traditions, the meaning of Valentine’s Day has changed over time, becoming a little less sacrificial and a little more superficial. But this is not so with Christians, for we are called to reflect love in a counter-cultural way. We define love by the grace poured through us and when it overflows, it’s not merely reflective of something we feel, but more closely resembles something we create. And although I’m not opposed to dark chocolate truffles, outrageous love reveals itself through intentional acts of prayer and communion, warm banana bread, free coffee, phone calls to the parents and date nights. Love is generosity of heart.

On January 16, 2019, our 24-year old daughter moved to London, England for 12 months and watching her get on that plane was equally one of the most loving and painful things, I’ve ever done. Love isn’t always easy for me. And perhaps, I am not alone. So, this Feb 14th, we send heartfelt thanks from the Foundation office for each of you who demonstrate love well.

Thank you to our CBWC constituents, churches and camps. Thanks to those of you who build houses in Guatemala, to those who advocate for emerging leaders and to those who eat leftovers, in favor of a benevolent offering. Thanks to those who stand in the gap for the marginalized, who shovel the neighbor’s walk in minus 35 and to those who love on perfect strangers. Happy Valentines Day! For this is the day, the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son and whomsoever believes in him, shall have everlasting life. John 3:16