Christian Living
St. Valentine was such a loving bishop that we have continued to celebrate the giving of gifts as a sign of our love even though most people have no idea how Valentine’s Day received it’s name. Love comes in many forms and is expressed in different ways depending on the nature of the relationship. Think of the cross as God’s message of love for us all.
St. Theresa of Lisieux makes references to “godly conversations” as occasions when two souls touch. There are many occasions when words fail us and we find cards so helpful because we cannot speak our minds, but sometimes the best memories come from the wonderful opportunities to really be spiritually open and intimate with another human being. When last have you shared at this level? What prevents you from opening up?
I remember what fun I had as a teenager sharing my deepest secrets with my very best friend. In the middle of all the confusing thoughts and feelings, there was this one person with whom I could bare my soul. It was like having a diary that talked back and kept confidences locked away with the key of faithful friendship. Such experiences continue at every stage.
My mother was a different kind of soul mate for most of my life. Some subjects were bound to create conflicts and so I learned to either soften the blow or tiptoe around them if we really needed to just agree to disagree. On other topics, there was no holding back, and talking until the sun rose one morning was a high adventure in extended dialogue.
How can I forget the many soul sisters that I have adopted in Jamaica, England, Canada and the United States. Over the years, I have had friends who were from exotic places like Iran, Egypt, Australia, Africa, India and Asia. My Jewish professor taught me about his days in a Kibbutz, my Muslim neighbour taught me about arranged marriages and her daily prayer routines. I travelled with them in our conversations, to places that I could never visit myself, to share experiences that I would never have myself. Who can you recall as unlikely friends?
If you are thinking of getting engaged at this time of year, remember that it really helps to have a full year to discuss plans for the marriage and for the wedding. Seeking God’s will together in prayer is so important as you discuss general topics such as time, money, children, in-laws, friends, expectations, spiritual matters and those more pertinent to your own unique situations. We spent many afternoons at the Montagu Beach, during our lunch hour, answering questions posed to us in an excellent pre-marital study guide that we used in preparation for our marriage. How different it is to live out the responses we gave in all simple sincerity at the time. We have certainly had our share of “for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health” and marvel at how much God brought us through over the years.
Why not use Valentine’s Day as an opportunity to send a special message to some of the persons who have loved you over the years and have helped you to become who you are today! Recall the times when you shared your thoughts and feelings, giving the gift of yourself, without having to spend any money at all. Then, decide to make time to celebrate your relationship with your special love, family members and close friends on a regular basis, giving God thanks for the gift of Jesus Christ who teaches us how to give and receive true love.
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