timated one billion cards given to celebrate this day devoted to love, making it second only to Christmas with an estimated 2.5 billion cards. While many connect it to a Catholic Priest, Saint Valentine, the history of this celebration is steeped in legend, therefore, no one knows for certain its specific connection to an individual bearing the name Valentine. One story says a young priest by the name of Valentine was imprisoned some 1500 years ago and while in prison he fell in love with the prison keeper's daughter who brought him his food each day. This led him to write a love letter to her which he signed: Your Valentine. Sounds like this would be a good plot for a game show or maybe one of those reality programs that everyone talks about. At any rate, a lady named Esther Howland is credited with producing the first commercial valentine's card here in the U.S. in the 1840's. I am sure that Hallmark has a special place in their hearts for this lady!I've tried to remember my earliest recollection concerning sharing valentines with classmates but it is all
rather fuzzy to me. It seems I do remember my mom buying us the packages with all the cards and maybe even recall us making some cards. I do remember that we were instructed to have a card for every person, that is, every girl for every boy, and every boy for every girl in our class. That was pretty scary because even as a kid I didn't feel like giving every one of the girls a card. There's no telling what kind of rules apply in our politically correct world today. I don't even want to think about all the stipulations that would have to be thought of to make sure no one was left out. It seems like we helped some of our grand kids do some cards several years ago but in today's world where lawsuits await any and every slight, one would have to be very careful what the card said and to whom it was addressed. Oh for the good old days when my cheeks were on fire just having to hand a card out to the girls in my class!Some complain about the expectation implied by the day set aside to honor love. That is, if you don't get your sweetheart a special valentine's gift, well, this would be bad news, especially for the guys. To be honest, I have never had a problem doing something to recognize the special girl, who, God in His providence, (What God has joined...Mark 10:9), gave to me so many years ago. One day does not tell the
story, however, but it should give us all an opportunity to express our love that hopefully we demonstrate throughout the year. Showing this type of respect is consistent with biblical teaching. "Husbands love your wives in the same way Christ loved the Church and gave Himself up for the Church." (My translation of Ephesians 5:25) A box of candy and a fancy card will never meet the test of this verse but an expression of devotion and love accompanied by actions and deeds that reflect the truth in this verse is not only appropriate, it is what God has called us men to do. For the ladies, in the same passage, the Apostle instructs them to show proper reverence and respect to their husbands. (Ephesians 5:33) This denotes his position within the marriage and ladies should accompany their expressions of love on this special day by actions that reflect their calling by God. I do thank God for my good wife, Marilyn, and for the stack of Valentine greetings He has allowed me to give to her. Thanks Sweetheart, and always remember, "Baby, you're still the greatest!" Amen. .......More later.
No comments:
Post a Comment