on this day of hearts

It's Valentine's day once again, and... for the first time in my life I actually have a valentine... well, what the world sees as a valentine. And, no, this blog is not about a deeper longing, and desire for purpose and all that jazz that people long for in this life.... Christ has fulfilled that. I wanted to write about the fact that, though I'm not lacking this year, and Christ is the man of the hour, it just pains me more and more to see this world around me fall to the lies of the enemy. Girls desperately seeking love in the wrong places, and men longing to fill that love, but not always for the right reasons or in the right way either.

And so, even more than in years past I'm incredibly grateful for my love.... my Lord. The man of the hour.... the man of my dreams. Tommy Walker sings... "What love, the father has lavished on us, that we should be called His sons, and daughters. Precious in His sight. Greater love, this world has never seen. When he hung on that tree. Oh, why... would He do such a thing for dirty sinners like you and me?..." and it goes on to thank God for loving us, and declares that He is the only one worthy of our everlasting praise. Amen! Indeed, what love has this God, that for me.... his messed up, filthy, raggedy little girl like me, he should die... a torturous, lonely, excruciatingly painful death.... FOR ME?!?!?! It astounds me... when i actually shut myself, and my world up enough to dwell on the truth in that... Christ died for me!

And in response to that... I can sing this song.. "Now I can... trade these ashes in for beauty. And wear forgiveness like a crown. Coming to kiss the feet of mercy. I lay every burden down. At the foot of the cross." That song (at the foot of the cross, by kathryn scott) goes onto talk about the fact that the foot of the cross was where grace and suffering meet. And that Christ has won my heart..... that's a challenging line "yes, you've won my heart".... but has he...wholly, completely? Can just anyone look at my life, for even a short ride on the El or the bus together, and see that He, my Jesus, and truely won my heart?.... that's convicting stuff.
But, oh, phooy... I'll just write all the words up here. My older brothers and sisters in the faith can convey my heart through words much better than I most days... and this is one of those days. So.... be blessed by these words... on this day of love,know that you are loved by the One who created you... in His amazing image, for His amazing purpose, for His amazing love.....be blessed

At The foot of the cross
where grace and suffering meet
You have shown me your love
through the judgment you received

And, You won my heart,
Yes, You won my heart,
now I can...

Trade these ashes in for beauty
and wear forgiveness like a crown
Coming to kiss the feet of mercy
I lay every burden down
at the foot of the cross

At The foot of the cross
where I am made complete
You have given me life
through the death You bore for me

And,You won my heart,
Yes, You won my heart,