|
|
Christian Indie Radio
GetChristianMusic
Solid Walnut Music
|
|
|
|
|
|
Devotionals
|
|
Cartoons
Culture
Family
Games
Health
Homeschooling
Humor
Inspiration
Kids
Men
Ministry
Parenting
Poetry
Teens
Women
|
|
Statement of Faith
Contact Us
|
|
|
|
The Pastor's Place. For Pastors and their families.Valentine's Day. Get Ready to Reap What You Sow.
by Linda Mae Baldwin (Linda's bio)
Send this page to a friend
Valentine's day. February 14th. You can't miss it. Advertisements start right after Christmas decorations are removed, and cellophane wrapped, chocolate filled, red hearts take their place. V-Day. The day of love. If your Valentine's day usually goes uncelebrated, do something different this year. Knock your loved one's socks off.
I am a holiday celebrationist (It's not a word, but it is what I am). I will celebrate people or holidays in an instant. Give me a themed day and I will offer you a card and a hand made something. Give my sweet husband a holiday and he might remember a card, but, ah, probably not. In twenty-three years of marriage, he usually forgets holidays like Valentine's. It took a while for me to get the idea that it just is not in him to celebrate those days. He is very busy. No matter how romantic I am, his time is limited. He knows that I know he loves me and 'just because a certain card company came up with another holiday to sell cards doesn't mean he has to buy into it'. When he does something special, I am overwhelmed. If you are like that, make it a point to overwhelm someone this year.
My dad was a Professional Wrestler all his life. Money was always in short supply, but he always managed to get something for mom and us on Valentine's day. When he died, mom pulled out a box full of papers she saved. On a piece of folded construction paper dad had sketched a beautiful rose, and inside, dad had penned sweet words of love. She didn't keep any of the cards he'd bought, but she kept his handmade card as a reminder of his love. Have you left reminders of your love?
Make this holiday the one where your wife and children tell everyone they can't imagine what got into you! This year, dear husband did not just leave a card on the counter, or forget the holiday all together, he actually made dinner! He helped the kids make cards; he made rich, chocolate treats for us. Wow.
If it's not in your nature to do this sort of thing, the task can seem daunting. But it needn't be. No doubt it's hard to squeeze more things on your to do list when you don't seem to have enough time to do the things already there. Remember, you will reap mega benefits from your thoughtful acts of love. (Galatians 6:7b – a man reaps what he sows.) How often have you counseled congregation members to be kind to each other? To practice tender heartedness. (Ephesians 4:32) When you do a good deed for others, your heart will feel good too. Your family will be touched by the time expended on them.
Included are an easy, family favorite, no-bake cookie recipe and links to quick dinner sites, to make your adventure as painless and easy as possible.
Sure, your wife knows you love her. The kids know you love them. However, this year, do something different, something special, you will be blessed and you will make their hearts smile.
Freeman Chocolate Macaroons
1 cube of margarine
2 cups of sugar
4 tablespoons of cocoa
½ cup of milk
(Combine them all in a pot and boil for one minute)
3 ½ cups of quick cooking oats
2 tablespoons of peanut butter
(Drop into the mix in the pan and stir)
Drop your completed cookie mix by teaspoons or tablespoons (depending on how big you want them) onto tin foil and let them set.
Easy dinner ideas.
Crock pot chicken
http://chicken.allrecipes.com/AZ/BakedSlowCookerChicken.asp
Microwave some potatoes and buy a bag of salad to complete the meal.
Check out www.meals.com or www.quickneasyrecipes.com for more ideas.
Email me and let me know what you did and how it turned out, at lindamaebaldwin@hotmail.com
May you be blessed as you grace your family on this special day of love.
Copyright 2002, Linda Mae Baldwin. All Rights Reserved. Used by permission.
|
About Linda Mae Baldwin: Linda Mae Baldwin has ministered in churches in various capacities since 1983, when her husband answered the call to the Pastorate. The author of various plays, inspirational readings, and short stories, she currently also writes reviews for the iUniverse.com CWWC site. Although no longer in vocational ministry, Linda Mae's heart is to minister to pastors, their wives and children. E-mail Linda Mae |
Send this page to a friend: