The weather forecasts more sub zero days and blowing snows, but I thought the following story would be helpful to celebrate Saint Valentine's Day.Little Chad was a shy, quiet young man. One day he came home and told his mother that he'd like to make a valentine for everyone in his class. She thought, "I wish he wouldn't do that!" because she had watched the children when they walked home from school. Her Chad was always behind them. They laughed and hung on to each other and talked to each other. But Chad was never included. Nevertheless, she decided she would go along with her son. So she purchased the paper and glue and crayons. For three weeks, night after night, Chad painstakingly made 35 valentines. Valentine's Day dawned, and Chad was beside himself with excitement. He carefully stacked them up, put them in a bag, and bolted out the door.
His mother decided to bake him his favorite cookies (comfort food) and serve them nice and warm with milk when he came home from school. She just knew he would be disappointed and maybe that would ease the pain a little. It hurt her to think that he wouldn't get many valentines - maybe none at all.
That afternoon she had the cookies and milk on the table. When she heard the children outside, she looked out the window. Sure enough, there they came, laughing and having the best time. And, as always, there was Chad in the rear. He walked a little faster than usual. She fully expected him to burst into tears as soon as he got inside. She noticed that his arms were empty, and when the door opened, she choked back the tears. "Mommy has some cookies and milk for you," she said. But he hardly heard her words. He just marched right on by, his face aglow, and all he could say was: "Not a one. Not a one." Her heart sank. And then he added, "I didn't forget a one, not a single one!"
Here was a boy who was measuring love not by what he received, but by what he gave. How many of us can say that we did the same last week?
But that is the whole point: when we meet our maker, God will not ask us how many cards we received, but how many we gave to others.
Lord, I pray for all my Sonshine Friends that we treat each other with compassion. Let us help to give each other the “benefit of the doubt.” No, it is never easy to love others who do not care for us. But there is only one way to learn: practice, practice, practice. Valentine’s Day is a good day to begin.
