Valentine's Day is quickly approaching and each year it awakens thoughts of cupids, cards, candy and candlelight dinners. On that day, the "pressure" is on to express love in a tangible way that makes our significant other's heart dance with romanticism.
Have you heard the story behind the Taj Mahal in India? It's quite the symbol and memorial of love.
Emperor Shah Jahan, in the seventeenth century, ordered the construction of the magnificent building, as a memorial to his wife. They were married in 1612, and she died in childbirth in 1631.
The devoted husband immediately ordered the construction of a towering edifice on the bank of the Jumna river, as a memorial. The Taj Mahal, commenced in 1632, was 22 years in construction, and, at one point, involved 20,000 workers daily.
For over 325 years, the imposing structure has intrigued people who have been moved by its sheer beauty and the story of the love which prompted its construction.
You read that and say, "What love!" - or do you say, "What?...that's love?" Imagine 22 years of construction to prove to the world his love for his wife. Most of us would be thrilled if our significant other would spend 1 hour tackling that "To-Do" that's been on the list for way too long.
I am glad that the love Larry and I share goes deeper than a memorial or a 22 year construction job. Buildings deteriorate and, in time, the Taj Mahal will be in ruin and only a beautiful memory. Earth's greatest testimony to love, however, is more enduring and not subject to decay. The Bible describes that testimony or demonstration of undying love in these words: "We know what real love is from Christ's example in dying for us." (1 John 3:16) What love!
Our love is built first on the foundation of Jesus Christ. It was God who truly brought us together. But, we have to work at our love and commitment. It doesn't "just happen." We feel that next to God, our greatest investment is in our marriage and relationship. Then that love flows into the relationship we have with our children. Without love, marriages, homes and families crumble. Without love, church bodies split. Without love, communities are simply a group of people living a mundane life or an endless rat race, fighting to get ahead. I like what Smily Blanton put in his books years ago. Life really does boil down to love or perish:
Without love, hope perishes.
Without love, dreams and creativity perish.
Without love, family and churches perish.
Without love, friendships perish.
Without love, the desire to go on living can perish.
To love and to be loved is the bedrock of our existence.
Do you tell those you love, "I love you?" Do they hear those words and understand how much you treasure them? As we grow older, we realize more than ever the value of those three powerful words. They may know that you love them, but they need to hear the words! Those words speak of acceptance, love and security. Appreciate those you love…there is no guarantee as to how long we'll have each other. Life is fragile, but love is eternal! Let love reign in your hearts and homes!
Happy Valentine's Day,
Gloria
{Quote}
"Love is an act of endless forgiveness, a tender look which becomes a habit."
-Peter Ustinov
{Chuckle/Reflection}
Ole and Lena were so excited to get a new cellular phone. It was Valentine's Day and Ole was to call when he was on his way home from town. Ole called Lena when he entered the freeway. "Lena put supper on; I'm on my way home."
Lena says, "Be careful because I hear some nut is driving the wrong way on the freeway."
"It's worse than that Lena, where I'm at there are a hundred cars going the wrong way!"
{Recipe}
1 pt. buttermilk
2 c. oatmeal
1 tsp. soda (mix in buttermilk)
½ c. melted butter
¼ c. sugar
1 T. salt
6 c. flour (approx.)
Mix the above ingredients together. Use enough flour to make a very stiff dough when rolled. Roll very thin portions of the dough. Place on cookie sheets and bake at 350 degrees a minute or two on each side.
Crumple Paper Towels…Forever: Use microfiber cloths instead. When wet, they sanitize and clean floors, counters, glass and tile, and eliminate the need for other cleaning products. They're reusable (machine-wash, hang to dry) and cost about $5 for a two-pack.