Valentine Gestures and A Message from God

There have been years when Valentine’s Day really bummed me out because it felt like everybody on the planet had a significant other except for me. Surprising to even myself, I have truly come to a peaceful place where I find joy purely in the simplest gestures of kindness and love instead of focusing on what I don’t have.

Here are the Valentines I received that meant more to me than any candy or card…

Last night, Newscoma came in to town for a quick trip. She sent out the call for anybody who wanted to join her for drinks at Sportsman’s Grille to come on down. Well, of course I wanted to go see her, but I knew I would not be able to get childcare for the evening. I’ve often been in that dilemma, where I had to miss various opportunities to see friends, work events, and even singing opportunities because my first and foremost priority is to my child, as it should be. I don’t ever begrudge that fact; however, it is what it is…and yeah, I’ll admit that I’m human and sometimes it can be a bummer.

So I asked her and the others if they would mind sitting in the restaurant area with my little girl and I for a little while beofre they went upstairs to the bar so that I could see ‘Coma for a bit. I know they were all wanting to unwind after a long day…but they did that for me…and it meant SO much.

I want to say thanks to Newscoma, Ivy, Chris Wage, Jag, and CeeElCee for making a single mom feel included. You accommodated my situation…and I appreciate it more than you could possibly imagine.

Then today, Diploma Boy took me to lunch for Valentine’s Day…have I mentioned that I work with the greatest guys? On the way back to the office, we laughed so hard making fun of the Spanish dude, Ghaleb, trying to sing “Everything I Do” on American Idol…it was baaaad. Think Antonio Bandaras in Evita, but off key…and Diploma Boy has the impression down perfect. Yes, laughter is the best gift of all…

When I posted that hilarious picture from when I was 15 in my school’s mixed ensemble, I titled it “One of the results of Social Networking“…well, in the past day, via MySpace, another amazing reconnect has happened! I got a message from an old friend from when I was at Liberty University. He and his wife had organized a group of us who met every Friday night. It was a literal lifeline for me in the midst of a completely legalistic environment. I have never forgotten how much that group meant to me. To get back in touch with him was fabulous enough…but this afternoon, without knowing anything that has happened with me in the past 22 years, he sent this message…

P.S. happy valentines day

p.S.s. God told me for you to read Isaiah 54, k?

Here are some exerpts of what Isaiah 54 says…

“Do not be afraid; you will not suffer shame.
Do not fear disgrace; you will not be humiliated…

For your Maker is your husband—
the LORD Almighty is his name—
the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer;
he is called the God of all the earth.

The LORD will call you back
as if you were a wife deserted and distressed in spirit—
a wife who married young,
only to be rejected,” says your God.

“For a brief moment I abandoned you,
but with deep compassion I will bring you back…

Though the mountains be shaken
and the hills be removed,
yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken
nor my covenant of peace be removed,”
says the LORD, who has compassion on you.

No weapon forged against you will prevail,
and you will refute every tongue that accuses you.
This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD,
and this is their vindication from me,”
declares the LORD.

A valentine from God through Richard…

While I love getting flowers, cards, candy, and all of that romantic stuff, this has been one of the most special Valentine’s Days ever…and my heart is full.