大象传媒

A spiritual comment and prayer to begin the day with Eleanor Jeans

Love is

Good morning. What is the most loving thing anyone has ever done for you? Was it a grand gesture? Was it a generous offer? Or something far more mundane, yet so appreciated at the time?

Love is so many things - maybe you鈥檙e now thinking of those love is cards. For instance, love is never having to explain why you haven鈥檛 emptied the dishwasher!

Today is Valentine鈥檚 day, and of course, it鈥檚 a day when many people will be exchanging gifts and cards speaking of and showing love, or wondering whether a red envelope might just drop on their doormat. I have to admit that I鈥檓 not a particular fan of Valentine鈥檚 day, but it is always good to think about love.

However, today also happens to be Ash Wednesday, the start of the Christian season of Lent. It鈥檚 a day when many Christians will receive an Ash Cross on their foreheads, being reminded of their mortality but also of the love of Jesus as he began his earthly ministry and his journey to the cross.

So for me, today, the most loving thing anyone has ever done for me, was far more than a grand gesture, it was the most generous offer imaginable, it was something so profound and appreciated, that it has changed the course of my life, and that is simply that gift of the love of God .

So this day, Valentine鈥檚 day, Ash Wednesday, is a double celebration of both earthly and divine love!

Dear Lord, thank you for the gift of love! Thank you for the love of family and friends. May my live be one which is characterised by self-giving generosity and love, not just this day but always.

Amen

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