Day 45 Valentine's Day

2/14/2025

 

Today is one of the most celebrated holidays, and one of the best sale days for Hallmark Cards than perhaps Mother's Day. Valentine's Day is the day we share words of love and appreciate to our love ones. It's one of the three days a husband can never forget, or the price will be costly. The other two, you ask?! Well, you guys will just have to figure the answer to that one yourself.

This year I allowed the day to sneak up on me, so my friends and family had to settle with text messages and Valentine - themed gifs. I just hope I remembered everyone. Actually, I forgot about my daughter, and I always make this day special for her, but she doesn't worry about my absent-mindedness, because she knows I'll still do something special for her, as I always do. She's the same way. We both enjoy gift-giving and sending cards.

My morning started with time spent with my on True Love in worship. I received the good news of the hostage release tomorrow, and I pray that this is the beginning of the end of this charade and horrible experience. That's putting it mildly. Settling down I began to think about my life, and how content I am in the things Abba sets before me. As I sat quietly listening, praying, I heard the words in Song of Solomon 6:3 "I am my beloved's, and my beloved is mine." These are the words spoken of King Solomon and his love, the Shulamite woman, and it characterizes the love Christ Jesus has for His Bride, the Church. The entire book is a comparison of the love between a husband and his wife, and it is truly lovely. It's also a great place to begin if your marriage is a little tense. Tennyson is also a great read, and the ladies will love it, guys. But, the words of Solomon are inspiring.

The music continued to play softly as I read, but the words to the songs were so worshipful and inviting, ushering in the presence of God. Listen to the lyrics of "Make Me a Bethany" by Jesus Image:

"And just like Mary
I will pour my oil out

And just like David
I will worship You alone

I want to move Your heart
I want to see Your face

Make me a Bethany
Make me a Bethany
Come and rest here and be pleased
As I worship at Your feet

Just like Noah
I will listen and obey

And just like Moses
I will live to seek Your face

Make me a Bethany
Make me a Bethany
For the Lamb I long to see
Is the only thing that’s needed

This one thing I want Lord
To pour my oil at Your feet
This one thing I want Lord
To sit and worship my King

There is only one thing that’s needed"

 

This beautiful song is speaking of Mary of Bethany who poured expensive, fragrant oil on Jesus' feet and wiped them with her tears and hair. She was criticized for this extravagance, but Jesus silenced them saying she was preparing Him for His burial. Once before, when Jesus was staying at the home of Lazurus in Bethany with his two sisters, Mary and Martha, Jesus had to correct Martha when she complained about Mary not helping her serve. Jesus told her that only one thing was needed, and Mary had chosen it, to sit at His feet and listen. Many times we become so busy with other things that we do not take the time to rest and listen to our Master speaking.

 

As I sat singing these lyrics over and over, another song came on, "Just Give Me Jesus," by Hillsong:

 

 

"… I don't want anything but You
You're more than every dream come true
All of the things I thought I wanted
Don't come close to knowing You

 

… Now that I'm Yours and You are mine
Our love is the secret that I find
I'll spend forever in the pleasure
I found looking in Your eyes

 

… Give me Jesus
Give me Jesus
You can have all this world
You can have all this world

 

… More than silver, more than gold
You are the treasure that I hold
Now that I've tasted of Your goodness
Nothing else will satisfy

 

… Just give me Jesus
Give me Jesus
And you can have all this world
You can have all this world

 

… Give me Jesus
Give me Jesus
And you can have all this world
You can have all this world

 

… Just give me Jesus
I only want Jesus
I only want Jesus
I only want Jesus

 

… I don't want anyone else
I don't need anything else
You are my one thing
You are my one thing
I don't want anyone else
I don't need anything else
You are my one thing
You are my one thing

 

… Just give me Jesus
Give me Jesus
You can have all this world
You can have all this world

 

… Give me Jesus
Give me Jesus
You can have all this world
You can have all this world

 

… Oh, and I don't want anyone else
And I don't need anything else
'Cause You are my one thing
You are my one thing
I don't want anyone else
And I don't need anything else
'Cause You are my one thing
You are my one thing"

 

 

Both are beautiful songs and especially appropriate for this day of remembering my Beloved on the Day of Love. He is my True Love, my Beloved, and I am His. As I sit here at His feet, He is my one thing, my only thing. Just give me Jesus!