Valentine’s Day

[From the archives – written for my church newsletter a couple years ago.]

It’s a childhood ritual. The morning of Valentine’s Day, my Kindergarten students come in to the classroom, their book bags loaded down with cards and treats and gifts. They all have cereal boxes decorated with paper and stickers to hold their Valentine cards. I have a box too and the students happily drop cards and chocolate into it.

A small bundle of energy dropped something into my Valentine box as she zipped around the classroom. S was a little waif of a thing – all knees and elbows with flyaway hair. She was forever losing things and getting distracted. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a messier pencil box. S was the kind of child who loved with her whole heart but could drive you crazy in about two minutes.  When she knew an answer she would impulsively shout it out and then melt into a little ball of shame when she was scolded. She would pour herself into exquisitely detailed crayon drawings of elephants…but she wouldn’t take the time to write her name within the lines. There was something about her that captured a special place in my heart.

A few minutes after she delivered her gift, she came over to me and said quietly, “There’s one chocolate in your box.” My curiosity was piqued, so I dug into my decorated cereal box and found a box of chocolates with no plastic wrap. “Is this the one from you?” I asked. S nodded. I opened it up and found that yes, indeed, there was one chocolate in my box…and three empty spaces. Squeezing back my smile, I asked what had happened to the other ones. She sheepishly ducked her head and admitted, “I ate them.” At that, I couldn’t contain it any longer and laughed out loud. I hugged her and she smiled up at me with a confused expression, probably thinking, “I’m not sure what’s so funny, but at least she’s not mad at me!”

That one little chocolate kept me smiling all day. I shared the story with people and got some interesting perspectives. One friend said, “That’s a sign of true love – stopping yourself from eating them all and saving one for the other person.” Another said, “Isn’t that just what we do to God? We say we’re giving Him a gift, but then hold back most of it for ourselves.” That comment got me thinking.

How many times do I knowingly give God less than He deserves? I say I’m going to spend more time in prayer and I fall asleep. I say he’s in charge of my money and I make a regrettable impulse purchase. I commit to help with some good activity and then get too busy to keep my promise.  I think I’m finally going to break that bad habit and then I fall into it again.  I allow my selfishness and pride to hurt the people I love the most…. I feel sometimes that all I ever give God is half-eaten boxes of chocolate. And I suppose I could dwell there and give myself a guilt trip…a much deserved one.

But this is the thing that blows me away. God KNOWS I will never give him what I should. He knows me; he knows my failings and hang-ups and shortcomings. He knows that I willfully sin and selfishly demand my own way. On top of that, he knows that I am not even CAPABLE of giving Him the glory he deserves. Until the day I stand before His throne, my worship of him will always be tainted and imperfect. And yet….AND YET….he longs to hear my praise! It thrills his heart for me to bring my pitiful offerings, half-used, raggedy and broken. He loves me so much that the slightest lift of my eyes toward heaven brings him joy.

 If my impulsive little S and her one piece of chocolate could delight my heart, how much more do I delight the heart of the One who created me, gave His life for me, and loves me to the depths of my soul?

On this Valentine’s Day, don’t let God’s enemy remind you of the many, many times you’ve failed your Heavenly Father. Let God himself sing His songs of love over you and remind you of how truly, deeply and permanently you are loved!

Zephaniah 3:17

The LORD your God is with you,
   he is mighty to save.
He will take great delight in you,
   he will quiet you with his love,
   he will rejoice over you with singing.”