Happy Valentine’s Day! (to All) February 14, 2007
Over the past year, I started the process of changing my attitude and learning how to love. I mean, to love. As in, truly cherish the other person, respect their feelings and opinions, be understanding, have grace and patience and show them how much you care about them. (Ok, I’m still working a lot on the grace and patience stuff….)
I took so many things for granted: my beautiful sister, my always-caring and loving Mom, you guys in good ol’ Germany, my girlfriends here in SF, this wonderful man who asked me to marry him, all the opportunities and respect at work and so much more. Sure, I knew that I was one happy girl to have all these awesome things happen to me.
But did I really understand why my life is so very special? So exciting? So promising? And then the question: Why me? Do I really deserve all of this?
After 29 years, I finally had a revelation about unconditional love. And more importantly, what a blessing all of you are for my life. All of you have loved me just the way I am (was). I know now that there is a God who truly loves me. And provides for me. His love speaks through you.
These words might not reach you in a spiritual way, but I want to tell you that I am so grateful for every single one of you.
So, this one goes out to all of you who have touched my life and loved me (and hopefully still do). And I want to give thanks to our Lord who has showed me His unconditional love and grace.
Take this Valentine’s Day message and send some thoughts of love towards other people - not only to your friends and family, not only for today. Speak words of encouragement into their lives. Something that makes them feel better.
We have enough problems, sorrows and struggles, we don’t need to add to anyone’s troubles by tearing them down. Let’s build each other up.
Don’t forget: Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. - 1 Corinthians 13:7