Dear Honey Run Friends,
We are steadily moving into and through February the month of love. As we celebrate Valentine’s Day, I was a bit curious how this tradition began so I did a little digging. My research produced more questions than answers. It seems as though there really was a priest named Valentine in the 200’s. He was martyred but questions remain for the exact reason. But all reasons given were that he was expressing love, not romantic but rather the biblical sense of love where he was caring for others. Either helping loving couples join in marriage or sharing the truth about who God is to those in Rome who have not encountered God.
In this spirit of Valentine, I started to reflect on how I show love to others. Do I care more about myself or my neighbor? Do my actions line up with my words? Am I offering sacrificial love to others? The dictionary defines love as an intense feeling of deep affection. It offers several other variations of this which all focus on the feelings of the individuals. Can feelings be trusted? To cheapen love to feelings seems to be a disservice to this powerful word and act. For me love is a decision. I choose every day, every minute, even every second if I am going to offer someone grace and love. Love is a conscious act and gift I choose to extend to someone. Do you feel love for your spouse or significant other all the time? I would guess not, but you can choose to love them always. Do you feel love for your family and friends when they don’t treat you well or disappoint you? I’m guessing not, but you can choose to offer them your love always. Do you feel love for your neighbor when they are most concerned about themselves and could care less about you and your life situation? Again, I would say no, but you can choose to elevate yourself beyond your situational grief and give love to them.
So how am I doing in life? If we are all seeking to be loved and to love why is it so difficult for me at times to love others? It is because I get in the way. Being selfish and self-centered I too often place my wants, needs, comforts, and ambitions above others ultimately loving myself and desires above all.
This Valentine’s Day I am praying that I put myself second and others first. My mind has always strived for this action, but my sinful self-thrusts my interests beyond others too often. I want my legacy to be love left in the wake of my life. I want my family, friends, church, co-workers, vendors, guests, and all acquaintances to see love from me to them through my actions, words, and prayers. As I seek to make this true in my life, I know that the only way for this to become a reality is that I let go of myself and put others first. I must quiet my soul to hear God’s guidance and love as He taught us to love.
Happy Valentine’s Day! I pray you know you are loved this day and all your days.
Jason
I enjoyed reading your write up and while you have raised more questions than answers, you have given me some things to think about.
I am looking forward to celebrating Valentine’s Day at the Honeycombs!
Thank you for sharing, Jason – beautiful and inspiring! Your love shines through hospitality and service to others. Peace and love to you, also.
We are so looking to see you and staff on Valentines Day! You are a very caring person and that’s one of the reasons we are coming back next week. We always enjoy your letters and look forward to seeing you soon. It will be our first time in a honeycomb, so we are doubly excited! I will be carrying my big orange bag Wid bought me on our trip Nov. 2021! It will clash with my valentine’s red outfit, but so be it! See you soon, God Bless Wid and Judie
Jason,
Thank you for your open and honest self-reflection. You bring up many questions we all need to ask ourselves. And then after we honestly answer those questions we need to change our course so as to act lovingly to others.
I am so happy that God loves us unconditionally. And that He helps us to love others. Without Him there is no love.
I pray for blessings for all of us. And love to everyone.