Love That Is Celebrated Year Round

Shelli and I don't get into Valentines day. I am thankful. I have always thought it was a big waste of money and overdone. I enjoy giving Shelli flowers, however, I prefer to design the arrangement myself because it generally turns out better that way. The last arrangement, (2 weeks ago) I let the florist do, Shelli and I had to overhaul as soon as we got it home. I will have to resort to building my own again. Florists are too busy to let some cowboy come in in his work clothes and take 20 minutes to put together his own arrangement the week of Valentines day, so I will stay away. I think it is interesting that you pay twice as much for flowers this week and get half the amount. Now thats a joke.

Now, don't get me wrong, we are all about celebrating love around here, but fickle, transient love isn't for us! We are into a lifelong commitment kind of love that you can celebrate for your whole life. And the unconditional love of Christ that transcends time and wells up into your heart year round... That's the kind of love worth celebrating.

I am so thankful to have a wife like Shelli. Last night I was talking to my bachelor friend, who is a famous surgeon and has been on television in his scrubs:) I was sure he would get married after that! Anyway, I diverge... I got to share about how great marriage is. I told him that marriage is WAY better than I expected. I love being married, and I highly recommended that he commit to tying the knot!! I told him that I beleive if a man chooses wisely he will be thankful for his wife the rest of his life.

Dr. Hawkins told me I was the first person to ever tell him that marriage is better than expected and that it is so much fun. I was thankful that I could share that with him. I am thankful for my friends who have great marriages like Aric and Toni and Brad and Julie who set good examples for us. I grieve for my friends who's marriages fall apart because the man chooses unwisely or one partner chooses to not follow God.

This valentine's day I will celebrate my pefect gift from the Lord in my wife. His provision for me has been beyond wonderful. And for that I am thankful. Happy Valentines Day Sweetheart. Be Mine Forever!