I used to be an introvert. Not sure what happened along the way. Oh, I still need times of quiet, alone. But I delight in and am energized by meaningful interactions, especially when I can share love with others, even in a brief context.

We just celebrated Valentine’s Day. Typically, a day for couples to enjoy time together or with their families, doing something special.

But many are alone—widowed, divorced, never-married, unhappily married, homeless, and the list goes on. They, like those of us who have happy marriages, need both God’s love and ours. I like the phrase, “I need a hug with skin on.”

Including Others

A dear couple took two widowed friends to dinner and a show for Valentine’s Day. What a great idea, and one I want to remember for the future. Why should singles be alone on this special day?

Photo credit: Nicole Michalou

My cousin was in the ER on Valentine’s Day with health issues. He listened to those around him… a woman who had fallen and broken her leg, who wept in the bed next to him. The man nearby who had no one with him. Alone in the ER. And my cousin prayed for them, lifting them to the Father for healing, comfort, and peace.

Our Plans, God’s Way

Don and I had planned earlier in the week to go to Sam’s Chowder House in Half Moon Bay. We wanted, not just a dinner out, but an experience, an adventure. We thought if we arrived by 3 pm we could probably get in without a long wait (no reservations).

We set out for a relaxing, although partly bumper-to-bumper trip, seeing God’s beauty in the hillsides around us—hillsides covered with ivy; trees blown down by recent winds, the winding road through the hills, and expanses of verdant green.

We learned the wait would be an hour and a half or more. Too long. Returning to the car, we called The Miramar, a nearby oceanside restaurant where we’ve dined before. The wait was about 30 minutes.

How We Can Share God’s Love

One of our friends had sent a Valentine’s Day text, encouraging us to share God’s love with others.

After waiting about 20 minutes, we were seated at a table near the window, with a clear view of the ocean waves and grey, overcast clouds. To our left was a table perpendicular to ours. One woman had on a top and slacks, black with red valentines all over it. I caught her eye and complimented her on being dressed perfectly for the occasion.

We ordered our dinners. A short while later, two of the children at the next table—a boy about 12-13, and his sister, perhaps 14, went outside to watch the gusty ocean. Wind whipped through the girl’s hair, and the boy, in shorts, jumped up and down.  I asked a woman at the table if those were hers, and commented that he must be cold. “They’re mine, and I’m so proud of them. He’s a surfer type so probably ok with the cold.”

Paying Attention

Then I looked more closely. The boy’s sweatshirt had praying hands, and “BLESSED SOUL” on it. Hmmm. When he and his sister returned, we said we were Christ followers and asked if he was too.

“Yes.”

Later I pulled a small “Jesus Loves you” out of my handbag and asked if I could give it to him. He looked thrilled, as did his sister. They thanked us several times. When the group of friends stood to leave, his mother crouched beside our table.

“I began my journey to know God three years ago,” she said.

“What brought you to that place?” I asked.

“Life.”

I nodded. She had realized she needed to know God. What a gift to have a precious, brief conversation with this dear soul—all because we noticed her son’s sweatshirt.

I had a wonderful Valentine’s Day, enjoying time with my sweet husband. But the joy of initiating an encouraging conversation with someone I’d never met before made our time that much sweeter.

So we pray for this dear family as they grow in their walk with Christ. Not a tradition, not a ‘religion,’ but a relationship. One where we know we are accepted in the beloved.

King David’s Kindness to The Descendants of the King Who Tried to Kill Him

Sunday morning our pastor spoke of King David’s kindness to Mephibosheth, grandson of the former King Saul, who tried multiple times to kill David, knowing the younger man would become king. Normally, in that culture, if there were family remnants, a new king would kill off the whole family because of any potential threat they presented.

Instead, because of David’s commitment and deep friendship with Jonathan, Mephibosheth’s father, David asked his servants if any of Saul’s descendants still lived. Someone knew of this grandson, who had been crippled when Saul was killed and the family fled Jerusalem. A servant carrying the child dropped him, crippling him for life.

“Go get him and bring him to me,” commanded David.

What Do You Want With A Dead Dog Like Me?

Can you imagine what must have gone through Mephibosheth’s mind as these men told him the King wanted to see him? Was he going to be imprisoned? Killed?

But David said, “I’m going to restore everything that was Saul’s to you, and you will eat at my table every day for life!” (Read the story in 2 Samuel 9:1-13).

Mephibosheth’s reply?

“I am your servant. But what do you want with a dead dog like me?”

He saw the defeat of his family. He saw his brokenness, his inability to care for himself. But King David saw his worth, because of David’s love for his father, Jonathan.

This is just one of those incidents in scripture that foreshadows Jesus’ heart for the broken, the lost, the despairing.

Photo credit: Inzmam Khan

I was ready to be sought by those who did not ask for me; I was ready to be found by those who did not seek me.

—Isaiah 65:1

We’re All Broken—But Jesus Christ Sought Us Out

God’s grace allows all of us who are broken to be loved, to belong, to have access to the King! Jesus came so we could have a relationship with God. Forgiven, loved, made new.

Jesus told a story about a man who planned an elaborate banquet and invited many. But they all had excuses:

• I bought some land and have to check it out.
• I bought oxen and need to examine them.
• I just got married and so I can’t come.

So the man was angry, and said to his servant,

Go out quickly to the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in the poor and crippled and blind and lame.

—Luke 14:21

Photo credit: Ismael Sánchez

Christ Initiated the Contact

Jesus came to search out the broken, to bring healing, restoration, and relationship to us. We don’t initiate the contact with God, even as Mephibosheth didn’t initiate contact with David. Jesus came to earth to show us the Father, and to initiate relationship with all who will trust Him. Nothing we do on our own will connect us to God, because we simply cannot reach His standard of holiness.

But He provided the way, through Jesus’ death and resurrection.

Share the Love

Let’s not hold it in. There are so many in need of a loving word or touch. I want to keep my eyes and ears open to see the needs around me, and to respond as Jesus would.

I’m still an introvert in certain situations. And yet God has given me the joy of extroversion when He brings people into my life with whom I can share His love. Isn’t that great!

Love Is Not Just For Us

A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples.

—John 13:34-35