Today is Valentine’s Day, the day we celebrate love. Hearts and roses, chocolates and romance are the hallmarks of this day. So many expressions of love!
But real love is so much more than candy and flowers, so much more than all the hype for February 14. The prophet Jeremiah (31:3) declares, “The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying: ‘I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.’” And the Psalmist (86:15) says “But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.” Of course, St. John’s gospel gives us the most powerful reminder, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
I was reminded of that greatest love of all when I read an article about a new creation. One of the most famous landmarks in the world is the statue of Jesus with outstretched arms that overlooks the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It’s called “Christ the Redeemer,” and it stands 125 feet tall. It has inspired many visitors to that city. But there is an organization in the tiny town of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, that has funded an even larger Jesus statue in their town. The “Christ the Protector” statue stands 141 feet tall—16 feet taller than the statue in the capitol city.
One unique feature of the “Christ the Protector” statue is that there is a lookout room with wide windows installed at about the height of the Jesus statue’s heart. Did you catch that? Wide windows installed at about the height of the Jesus statue’s heart. An elevator transports tourists up to this spot so they can see views of the city below from Jesus’ heart.
Can you imagine what the view would be like from Jesus’ heart? It changes our perspective entirely when we look at the world around us from the heart of Jesus, with our vision colored with His grace and love.
When we look at others from the heart of the One who loves us so much that He willingly went to the cross for our sakes, it changes everything. We become less judgmental, more empathetic, more accepting when we look through the unconditional love of Jesus. Our focus turns from ourselves to include all God’s children.
I read a story about a little boy who had the right idea as he prepared to celebrate Valentine’s Day. Little Chad was a shy, quiet young man. One day he came home and told his mother that he’d like to make a valentine for everyone in his class. Her heart sank. She thought, “I wish he wouldn’t do that!” because she had watched the children when they walked home from school. Her Chad was always behind them. They laughed and hung on to each other and talked to each other. But Chad was never included. Nevertheless, she decided she would go along with her son. So she purchased the paper and glue and crayons. For three weeks, night after night, Chad painstakingly made 35 valentines.
Valentine’s Day dawned, and Chad was beside himself with excitement. He carefully stacked them up, put them in a bag, and bolted out the door. His mother decided to bake him his favorite cookies and serve them nice and warm with a cool glass of milk when he came home from school. She just knew he would be disappointed and maybe that would ease the pain a little. It hurt her to think that he wouldn’t get many valentines – maybe none at all.
That afternoon she had the cookies and milk on the table. When she heard the children outside, she looked out the window. Sure enough, there they came, laughing and having the best time. And, as always, there was Chad in the rear. He walked a little faster than usual. She fully expected him to burst into tears as soon as he got inside. His arms were empty, she noticed, and when the door opened she choked back the tears.
“Mommy has some cookies and milk for you,” she said.
But he hardly heard her words. He just marched right on by, his face aglow, and all he could say was: “Not a one. Not a one.”
Her heart sank. And then he added, “I didn’t forget a one, not a single one!”
This Valentine’s Day and every day, may we, like Chad, look at others through the heart of Christ, reaching out to others with acceptance and love.
Your sister in Christ,
Linnea K. Gustafson
Interim Minister at Lutheran Church of the Redeemer & Zion Lutheran Church
The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of The Kewanee Voice.
***This column is sponsored by the Kewanee Ministerial Association
