Rich in Card~Love...I confess...I save ALL my cards. I have, uh, "saving places" where I keep my cherished cards. It really is living history. Well, Sunday afternoon, I decided to clean out the drawer in my bedside table. It was getting a little full. I couldn't even open it. So I piled up my cards (I do have a few journals in there too) on my kitchen counter and began to browse.And that is when the thought struck me, I am rich in "card~love"! My heart was warmed to overflowing (my eyes!) as I reminisced. How I cherish these mementos of love from friends and family. The gratitude I felt at the rich gifts that God has blessed me with spilled over.
I realized how much they are pieces of my story. The times I was low and a friend took the time to encourage. The Bible studies I have lead, inspiring cards of love and thanks. But mostly just cherished times spent together. The photo I took of the cards above is a sampling from two friends. One who I am still very close with (Becky~you have made me rich in card~love), and the other one is a past friend. A lost friendship; one that ended. I miss her. PK. We spent many afternoons having coffee. We did some shopping, some praying and some decorating together. Whenever I read her cards over, I remember the good times and I am grateful for them.
When I got to my 40th birthday cards, I recalled that my friends surprised me with a progressive dinner party. Heartwarming memories.
There were anniversary cards & Valentines from my husband and kids. Reading what they wrote over the years, seeing their handwriting... all caused me to dream and give thanks for the days gone by.
After all that "gushing" I did, I'm amazed that I would ever have days of struggling with loneliness when I have such evidence of love, but I do. It's all part of the walk (to quote Steven Curtis Chapman)...since nothing but being in Jesus' presence truly satisfies. I know His presence is available 24/7, but I still fail to abide at times. Daily I spend time reading His love~letter. What a large and continual "card" He has given me. It brings me to tears many times too, as I have written many things in the margins that bring back memories. God has been so good and faithful to me.
I hope you enjoy reminiscing, and think about the value of taking time to love with a card. It's a good week to send reminders of our love. (No, I am not getting paid by Hallmark :-D)
HAPPY VALENTINE'S WEEK!
I love you bloggy friends!
