Good morning…
I discovered a poem which means more to me this Valentine’s Day than ever before. With my mom’s surgeries and hospital stays, with our friend’s successful heart transplant, and with the grueling medical treatments endured by so many loved ones this year, I have marveled at the gentle care given by skilled professionals. For all of those who work tirelessly to enhance our quality of life, this precious poem expresses the immense gratitude we feel.
I, too, am sure we have enough – as many hearts as it takes, as much embarrassing sentiment as all these gifted givers need.
God’s timing is perfect. Not only is today Valentine’s Day, it is also Ash Wednesday, the day which begins our reflective season of Lent in the Christian church. Gifted givers understand the dynamics of sacrificial love. Surgeons. Nurses. Donors. Jesus, who also understood the body as gift. Jesus who said, “This is My body, broken for you” (1 Corinthians 11:24a, VOICE). Humbly investing one’s time, one’s talents, one’s very life in the holistic healing of others, this is exactly what Valentine’s Day and Ash Wednesday are all about, aren’t they?
And now we turn to the Great Physician, the Sustainer of all these surrendered hearts, all these brilliant minds, all these steady servant hands. In oneness with God, sacrificial love is born, nurtured, and embodied. We lift our voice and softly say, “To You, Lord, I give my whole heart, a heart filled with praise, for I am grateful” (Psalm 138:1, VOICE).
…Sue…
P.S. We are thankful that my mom’s next reversal surgery has been moved up to Monday at 8:45 am. I will fly to Ohio to be with my parents from Saturday through Tuesday. Please pray for the surgeon and the medical team as they provide tender, loving care. Our deepest hope is that the surgery goes well and that she wakes up without a colostomy bag.
Now, this is an Ash Wednesday Valentine for you, you who have so diligently prayed for my mom and dad throughout this challenging year. Thank you from the bottom of my very grateful heart.
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