A thought on Valentine’s Day

My mind races back to Kindergarten.

It’s recess time

and I’m running.

With my blond pony tail blowing through the breeze, I am on a hunt for a boy…

no – for THE boy.

But I’m not the only one running. There are many others in this race… little girls everywhere willing to kick up the dirt and mess up their pony tail for the sake of a boy. And we all squeal as we go – darting here and there – between the swings and under the monkey bars. We run after him, day in and day out, knowing full well that today we probably won’t be able to catch him. But the chase is worth….

because the prize is worth it.

So I run.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………

In the early years, it was always the girls chasing the boys. And although we knew that the boys loved the chase, we were way more focused on the catch. And here I am now, all these years later. The boy has been caught – but is the chase is far from over!

You see, I’m a girl who likes to pursue.

What about you?

This Valentine’s Day – who or what are you chasing after?

Is the prize really worth the chase?

A few worthy pursuits to consider:

Jesus
Ok. You expected this one, right? But I just have to ask: Are you chasing after Him? I mean really chasing after Him? Is He more than a box to check off the “to-do” list? Is it more than a duty? Is your heart involved? Do you really need Him each day? Do you long for more of Him?

Or maybe your resting in the idea that Jesus is the pursuer, not us, so it’s not our responsibility to chase (plus maybe you don’t like getting sweaty). You’re right. So I’ll ask it another way.

Do you ever allow the pursuer to catch you - to sweep you off your feet? Has He taken a hold of your heart in a way that has moved you – changed you? Are you connected to Him in an unbroken romance, knowing that life a part from Him is a life you will never choose to live again?

I’m just asking.

Your husband
Are you still pursing your man? Does he know you still choose him – that he is worth chasing after? Do you take time each day to tell you that you love him? Do you stop when he’s talking and really listen? Do you brag about him to your friends when he’s listening? Do you show him respect by letting him lead – by not correcting all his mistakes – and by picking up his dirty laundry that can’t seem to find its way to the laundry basket without uttering a biting remark?

I’m just asking.

Your children
Are you really pursing your little one’s hearts? Are you focused on their character or just their conduct? Are you investing in a relationship or just full filling a responsibility? Are you a student of your child – learning what moves their heart, what sets off their fuse, what inspires them, what challenges them and what they really need from you? Do you maximize their positives and cheer them on in their day to days? Do you tell them about Jesus – teach him about his love, his forgiveness and his grace?

I’m just asking. (And I’m asking myself too….)

What are you pursuing this Valentine’s Day?