Happy Valentine’s Day…
At PAWkids, we beaded bracelets with the kids on Monday and created Valentines for ourselves with the adults on Tuesday. I wrapped up my handmade gift and card, excited to open them this morning when I wake from my second sleep.
My bracelet holds one bead that says “Secret” on one side and “Beauty” on the other. The Spirit of the living God inspires us to share the beauty secreted in our soul. The word “secreted” is an interesting one to me. It is a verb with double meaning.
- When we secrete something, we hide it. The emphasis is on the first syllable. For example: He was arrested at the airport with drugs secreted in his clothing.
- When we secrete something, we release it. The emphasis is on the second syllable. For example: Saliva is a liquid secreted by glands in the mouth.
Secreted, God hides beauty in our soul. Secreted, our soul releases beauty into the world.
This mystery has been kept in the dark for a long time, but now it’s out in the open. God wanted everyone, not just Jews, to know this rich and glorious secret inside and out, regardless of their background, regardless of their religious standing. The mystery in a nutshell is just this: Christ is in you, so therefore you can look forward to sharing in God’s glory. It’s that simple (Colossians 1:26-27, MSG).
How might we each be a vessel this Valentine’s Day, both hiding and releasing the beauty of God?
…Sue…
P.S. I have seen secreted beauty shared freely this month. Our written word community has been an immense blessing to our dear friend Mike Mike and his family. Four Saturdays ago, he found his mother murdered in her bed. Two Saturdays ago, the PAWkids staff used our donated funds to buy clothes for the family and provide food for the reception after the funeral. Now this Saturday is Valentine’s Day, and we continue to share gift cards and make donations through PAWkids to support the ongoing needs of this large, loving family, our neighbors in Grove Park who deeply miss Tracey, mother, grandmother, and friend. (Please indicate “Donation to support Mike-Mike’s family.)
