12 Then He also said to him who invited Him, “When you give a dinner or a supper, do not ask your friends, your brothers, your relatives, nor rich neighbors, lest they also invite you back, and you be repaid.
13 “But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind.
14 “And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you; for you shall be repaid at the resurrection of the just.” Luke 14:12-14
By Bro. John L. Cash, “Country Preacher Dad”
On Christmas Eve, when I was out buying some last-minute stocking-stuffers, I had quite a shock. The store was already selling valentines! So, if it’s not too soon for the stores to be selling valentines, I guess it’s not too soon for me to talk about Valentine’s Day. Besides, I need an early start so you can make preparations for what I’m going to tell you to do.
In addition to being a country preacher, I’m also a public school teacher who teaches Latin to high schoolers. On a February afternoon some time ago, I was listening to two young ladies in my classroom having a chat while they finished up a worksheet. One of the girls exclaimed, “I hate Valentine’s Day!” and the other one readily agreed.
Well, frankly, I was very surprised. I thought that everyone liked Valentine’s Day. I love Valentine’s Day. In the 48 years I’ve been around, I don’t remember a single year when I didn’t get a stack of Valentine cards and usually a box of chocolates or something. I look forward to Valentine’s Day because I always get happy things from people who love me.
But I realized from the conversation that I overheard that everyone has not been so blessed. These young girls discussed among themselves that Valentine’s Day is the most depressing day of the year. Other girls have boyfriends and will get cards, candy, and flowers while they will receive nothing. It made me sad to think of it.
So, I’m writing this devotion early for you and me, so we can make some plans while there’s still time to do something. This year we are going to send some valentines to folks who never get any.
Look at the Scripture lesson (at the top) and see what the Lord Jesus had to say about situations like this. We tend to think we’re doing a great thing when we do kind deeds for folks who love us. But Jesus says the prizes go to those who show kindness to the people who are always left out.
Dear mama, this week ask the Lord to show you the person you should send your valentine to. And keep your eyes and heart open as you look for ways that you can bless those who are usually forgotten. The love you share can make the dark days of winter be filled with sunshine.
Dr. John L. Cash is the “Country Preacher Dad” * He was raised in Stuttgart, Arkansas, and is beginning his 25th year of being a country preacher in the piney woods five miles south of the little town of Hickory, Mississippi. He and his lovely wife, Susan, and his sons, Spencer (age 18) and Seth (age 15) live in the parsonage next door to the Antioch Christian Church (where the Preacher and his wife always get so many little cards in February from children at school and church). You should write him at extramailbox@juno.com.
