Valentine's Day

Well, love is in the air! Valentine's Day is coming! It must be, judging by the over indulgence in floral displays, with supermarket swathes of roses, delicious chocolates, and indeed anything luxurious and expensive. Yet for others, romantic suppers or precious tokens of tender emotions are distant from the reality of their daily living. The day is named after St Valentine who was born during the Roman Empire and was martyred at the age of 43 for his Christian faith. Such faith was in conflict with the emperor worship of the day. Apparently, just prior to his beheading he wrote a note to a girl whose sight he had restored, signing it 'from your Valentine'. And the rest as they say, is history.

How precious it is to know God's love for us. Actually, for me, myself. Receiving his gifts of forgiveness, of care, of challenge and growth, of prayer and guidance and knowing that he signs them all with love.

In Psalm 17, we are called the apple of God's eye. We are that special! So I wrote about how God sees me in this unpublished poem.

The Apple of his Eye

You are the God who's always there

you are one who really cares

you are the God who's love is shown

and never will my trust disown.

No need to hide my waywardness

no need to doubt your faithfulness

no need to run; ignore your love;

cherished, secure, I'm called beloved.

© Hilary Allen