Greetings from Plum Cottage, hope you all are having a nice February. Temperatures have been in the mid 80's, a.c. is on. We've had a few 'cold' to us days down here, but not enough to say we had 'winter'. The cooler temps make one feel more alive.
I did nothing to celebrate Valentine's Day this year. Being by oneself it just isn't the same. ;-) I just wasn't in the mood. The next day after my ladies Bible study/prayer group which meets every Wednesday morning, the pastors took we widows to lunch at the Olive Garden. There were 7 widows and three pastors. We had good food and conversation and much laughter, which we all know is good medicine.
Valentine's Day morning a widow friend of mine sent me a beautiful prayer she had received in a devotional that morning. I want to share it here before this month of celebrating love is over.
"Dear God, Help me today to understand what love really means.
I need a love that’s big enough to include all of us. Big enough for the dating and engaged couples, of course, with their giddy daydreams of a future together. But also big enough for the married folks, whether their passion for each other is still blazing brightly or barely more than a smoldering wick. Big enough for the singles toasting their independence, and for the singles wishing someone would come along and make that independence disappear. For the lonely and widowed and brokenhearted, I need a love that understands, a love that welcomes in hurt and sorrow instead of excluding them. The love I need more than anything is Your love. Without Your love, no other love will ever be sufficient. And with it, every other love becomes richer and truer and more life-giving than it could have been otherwise. We have learned all our best loves from You: the love of faithful friends, of spouses and significant others, of parents and siblings and children. Love that commits. Love that sacrifices. Love that lays down its life. You authored each of these loves, taught us how to recognize them and long for them and give them away. Our best efforts at Valentine’s Day are just a fraction of the wholeness of love.
Today, let everything I see remind me of Your love. Let today be a day for love. Real love. Big love. Your love. "
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God's love for us is amazing, it is never ending, it is deeper than we can ever imagine. As Jesus, He gave His life for us so that we might have life everlasting with Him. Where there is no pain, sorrow, death, sin, only LIFE BEAUTIFUL LIFE to the fullest. He wants a loving relationship with each one of us, He seeks us, call us, hopefully we hear His still small voice wooing us to come to Him. There is so much in the world to drown out His voice, and that's when we must be still and listen. Just be, just breathe, wait and believe.
Below is 'Angel Face' so beautiful in color and scent. Just one of God's beautiful creations to make our hearts rejoice.
I'm still learning how to use the art programs. Complicated until I learn them. PSP (Paint Shop Pro 2023) I am not happy with at all. Photo above was using GIMP, and it is a FREE program. We live and hopefully learn. It's never to late to learn.
I hope to be posting more often. I've things to share just need to get into my new computer to write, edit, etc. Things have been happening here.
Enjoy the rest of your week.
Be well, be happy, be thankful, be forgiving, love & encourage others.
FlowerLady
7 comments:
Beautiful post and beautiful flowers Lorraine. The Valentine's luncheon with the ladies from church and your pastors sounds very nice. I will look forward to seeing you in Blogland more often. Enjoy the rest of the week!
What a beautiful rose!! I love the color!! God certainly creates so many lovely things for us to enjoy!! The poem about love was perfect...it covered everyone! How nice of your Pastors to take you all out to lunch at Olive Garden! That was really sweet indeed!! It's nice to hear that you are doing well. Looking forward to more posts as you are able!! Have a blessed and beautiful week!
What a perfect sentiment for Valentine's Day for "the rest of us." Beautiful roses. Your weather sounds perfect. Does this mean you are busy outside in your garden?
It's good to hear from you. God's love is amazing to ponder. Take care!
A nice lunch at Olive Garden sounds wonderful! That flower is stunningly beautiful. I hope you have a great weekend!
You always put together such a beautiful post. I can't get over the pretty pink soap heart in your last post.
Angel Face is a beauty and well named. God gave those who follow Him a tremendous gift which is offered to all, eternal life with Him. Wow, that is Love. You widows and pastors had fun at the luncheon.
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