By Melissa McLaughlin
A Memory of Love
As a child, one of the highlights of our school year was Valentine’s Day. Once a year, we brought a shoe box to school and cut an opening on top. With energetic hands, sparkling eyes, construction paper and crayons, we transformed used cardboard boxes into personal mailboxes for Valentine cards.
The school held only a few special events during those years. So, decorating a box and exchanging Valentine cards was a thrill.
We put our heart and soul into those boxes. Gluing down red paper. Cutting paper hearts in various designs to adorn each box with our own style.
There was only one rule, we were required to give each student in the class a card so that everyone was included. We didn’t give treats, candies or anything else. We simply exchanged cards printed with a friendly greeting or cheerful note.
After stepping off the school bus on Valentine’s Day, I raced into the house, dumped out my cards and pored over those cards for days. A small word of kindness meant the world to my child’s heart. Still does.
An Everlasting Love
No matter where we are or how we feel today, may we pause in gratitude, remembering another kind of love. A love that lasts long after the paper hearts have fallen. The love of God.
- God has given us the gift of life.
- He provides for our daily needs~ food, clean water, clothing, work and shelter.
- He surrounds us with loving friends, family, neighbors and co-workers.
- He graces us with little joys like the affection of a pet.
- With each glowing sunrise, His mercies are new every morning.
Yet shining out over all, God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to restore us into a loving relationship with Himself.
- Better than cards, roses or chocolate.
- Better than jobs, houses or cars.
- Even better than the people God has given us to love.
The greatest gift of all is the love God demonstrated through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
That is a love like no other.
- A love that gives.
- A love that sacrifices.
- A love that redeems.
- What once was dead is alive in Christ.
- What once was old is made new.
- What once was lost is found forever.
The Love of Christ
Jesus Christ, a love like no other.
May nothing else in our lives be treasured more than the God who made us, loves us and died for us.
So, whether you are receiving a card of friendship or finding only another pile of bills in the mail…
Remember this~
God wrote His love letter to you in the red blood flowing from our Savior’s side.
Whether you are surrounded by loved ones or find yourself sitting alone…
Remember this~
The God of all creation came for you.
Whether you are adding water to a vase full of flowers or running water to wash a sink filled with dirty dishes…
Remember this~
The Rose of Sharon was crushed for you.
You are loved with a love like no other.
A Love Like No Other
Jesus Christ, the Son of God,
- laid down His life for you,
- to cleanse you of sin,
- to put you in right-standing with God,
- and prepare a place for you in His heavenly family.
At the cross, the heart of Jesus gushed red for you.
The voice of Jesus whispered forgiveness for you.
The Great Shepherd gave His life to bring you home, little lamb.
Let the magnitude of His love soak into the recesses of your heart.
Let His immeasurable love seep into the hurt places of your soul.
Let His love wrap around you like a blanket of peace, His everlasting arms holding you.
If you haven’t received God’s words of love sealed for you in Jesus Christ, please do so today.
No one loves you more.
A love like no other.
I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. John 10:11 ESV
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 NIV
I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness. Jeremiah 31:3 NIV
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 ESV
Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. John 13:1 ESV
Additional Resources:
Let Jesus Love You By Melissa McLaughlin
Melissa, with words you paint a beautiful picture of the greatest love we have. I never tire of hearing of God’s amazing love for us. The word ‘love’ is so overused and understood in our world today. Most understand love as fickle, surfaced, temporary, but you have highlighted the enduring and sacrificial love of Jesus of which matters most in our lives.
You make such an important point, Marcie. We are inundated with messages that falsely define love. It is so misunderstood. When we gaze upon our Savior on the cross, this is a love that goes so far beyond any temporary, surface love we see flaunted before us in our world. Praying for more to receive this love like no other.
What an encouraging post focused in on the Love of the Lord Jesus Christ who willingly gave up his life for us on the cross. The plan was already in place before a single cell or particle of our earth or solar system or ancestors had even been created. What love! What a plan carried out in all the small details and how we are blessed by this every single day! As you wrote: “May nothing else in our lives be treasured more than the God who made us, loves us and died for us.” Amen!
This love of Christ, from before all time, is truly indescribable. I love the way you expressed God’s love here, Melinda. A plan of sacrificial love carried out in small details, set into motion before we were even created. May we treasure this God of love more than anything or anyone else!
I remember elementary school Valentine’s Day activities. At the end of the school day, right before time to dismiss, we were allowed to share our Valentine’s with each other. Every student had a brown paper bag that we had already decorated. Each child was given a Valentine. I was a chubby girl with low esteem. So, those cards made me feel special. I am thankful God makes me feel special because I am His. 🙂
Thank you for sharing your heartfelt memories, Melissa. That truly was a special day of friendship and kindness. But as you point out, though in our lives, these kinds of moments may be fleeting, the love of God is steadfast and we are special simply because we belong to Him. A love like no other.
Such a beautiful post! Nothing compares to God’s love for us! The scripture passages you chose were perfect. Thank you! I feel like I just opened a Valentine…Wishing you blessings this Valentine weekend!
I was hoping you would feel like you opened a Valentine from Jesus! Sometimes, we just need to pause and let it all sink in. Blessings and love to you, LInda!
I remember those days of the Valentine boxes! But the greatest love given to us that will not perish is the love of Christ. Amen!
Aren’t they sweet memories? But how the love of Christ shines out over all. A love that will not perish. Blessings and love to you, Pam!
Beautiful, Melissa. I remember wanting to be several “Valentines” during my life. When my father was out of my life, I wanted to be his valentine. Dear to his heart and loved as a daughter. In school I wanted to be the girl and friend who’s valentine cards said, “To the sweetest girl I know.” Then, in college I wanted to be someone’s sweetheart. Along came my husband and we’ve been sweethearts ever since. But when Jesus said, “Will you be mine?” as a sixteen-year old girl, it made me my heavenly Father’s valentine, dear to His heart. God called me “friend.”
What a beautiful way to look back upon life, through the longings we all have for love. But in the end, only God can provide the love we long for most. A love like no other. Blessings to you!
My grandchildren just brought home their goodie bags from their Valentines parties. I enjoyed seeing all their stuff and thinking about my days as a youth. Now, I want to make Jesus is my forever Valentines. Great post Melissa.
Aww, what a special moment to share with your grandchildren. It’s amazing how these little snatches of time, where we pause and celebrate kindness and love, linger so long in our memories. I love the way you said it, “Jesus is my forever Valentine.” Beautiful!
God’s love story never gets old. Thank you for this refreshing post with good news that’s always relevant and heart-warming. May we love Him more and more as we soak in His love story.
So well said, Stephen! God’s love story never gets old, because it is the real deal! And all other love stories are based on God’s love for us. Thank you for reading and commenting!
I loved those Valentine’s Days at school. I still remember the thrill of our decorated little shoeboxes and all the tiny cards we’d get that day! 🙂
Didn’t those shoeboxes make sweet memories? A small note of kindness is a great gift. Blessings to you, Lisa!
Our ONE True GOD’S LOVE 💕is ETERNAL THROUGH HIS SON Christ-MESSIAH Jesus-Yeshua for Today and Everyday Forevermore Everyone!!
Love Always, YSIC \o/
Kristi Ann