Teddy bears and jewelry? Overrated.

Valentine's Day is weird. Why do Valentine traditions have to include giving people heinous plush animals or jewelry? I think I'd much rather have someone cook me a delicious meal. Followed by really good coffee. I'm still down with the flower tradition, though. But that's probably because I love flowers. In the past, I've even considered becoming a florist. But I think that was more of me wanting to have Ina Garten's life. Fortunately, I've gotten over that..... Mostly.

Enough about that nonsense. This week, the Lord has blessed me with really great quiet times in the Word (I'm reading from both Matthew and 1 Corinthians). Here are some of my personal favorites from the week:

But by the grace of God I am who I am, and His grace toward me did not prove vain...

1 Corinthians 15:10a

And the gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned; for on the one hand the judgment arose from one transgression resulting in condemnation, but on the other hand the free gift arose from many transgressions resulting in justification.

Romans 5:16

God's love is so much greater than anything my puny, human-sized brain could ever comprehend. And I'm thankful for that. During this overly-romanticized time of the year, it's really easy to become discontent with my lack-of-valentine. But then I see the incredible relationships the Lord has blessed me with-- my family, best friends, and sisters and brothers-in-Christ here in LA. If the love I've experienced from them is only a fraction of what God's love is like, then I have absolutely no reason to be discontent. He is good!

Love! :)