Do everything in love.”  (Corinthians 16:14)

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that  whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)

When I chose my devotional for Valentine’s Day/Ash Wednesday, I really hadn’t     considered their connection.  We mortals celebrate Valentine’s Day for lovers, those who are in love, and maybe those who are looking for love.  I’ve been fortunate to be married to my best friend for nearly 38 years (tomorrow), and in love with him all these years.  Then it dawned on me that if you consider the most important love of all times, it comes to us from God, who sacrificed His only Son so that we might have everlasting life.  I can only imagine the enormity of that gift, as losing a child, for whatever reason, is the most painful type of love that I know.  Losing my oldest daughter 20 years ago last August has allowed me to experience some of the pain that our Lord must have felt.

I hope during this 40 days of Lent you will be able to experience the love that our Lord showers on us daily in our walk with Him, and that you will be able to experience both the joy in giving love as well as receiving it.

Prayer:

Thank you, Lord, for the love you have put in my life.  I hope that  I can be the person that You want me to be, showing love to all I meet. Amen.

Contributed by Marty Portmann