“And may the Lord make your love for one another and for all people grow and overflow, …” (Thessalonians 3:12 NLT)
There is something inexpressible about “love.” For centuries love has been a predominant theme in poetry songs and novels. Movies are rarely without a good love story weaved somewhere in its scenes. It seems that love in its purest forms cuts through spirit and soul. A recent post to my Facebook facebook wall says:
hi anty bonnie well we havint seen eace otherin a while well LOVE YA
Nothing warms me more during a cold Winnipeg winter than a special note like this. Yet I ask myself, why do the words “LOVE YA” from a sweet niece means so much? As infants we accept love without question. As children we learn its value and try to measure it. Who hasn’t counted the Valentines in their box when received in school? In adolescence we start to seek that someone special to give an abundance of love to. Once parents we discover a well of love not known before arising from new depths. What power this “love” holds.It is no wonder Christ boiled down the commandments to two powerful commands:
- Love God with all your heart.
- Love your neightbor as yourself
How the world would change if we could only manage to fulfill these! Why is it that no matter how old we are–when mom makes our favorite meal it tastes better than anything the finest restaurant could serve?Why is it when we bake cookies to bring to a widow on Valentines Day, we feel more blessed than she does?Perhaps the mystery lies in the fact that God IS love. Is it possible that in giving and receiving love we are experiencing a bit of the supernatural? We experience a small portion of what our soul truly longs for–true intimacy with God?I don’t pretend to know the answers to these questions and I doubt I ever will in this life, but this one thing I know for sure.
I will press on toward the high calling of Christ by doing my utmost to follow the commandments.
I will be thankful for those God has put in my life, who love me and I will continue to foster new love to those around me.I will praise God when my husband brings me a warm cup of coffee and I will spend a little more time with my niece.As I have mentioned in previous posts, Valentine’s Day is an excellent time to remember people feeling less loved. It is a great opportunity to share something from your kitchen with others, in face sharing the Java Sticks below is a great way to say “Love Ya!”
Java Sticks
325°F 15 minutes
2c butter
1c brown sugar
2tsp vanilla
4c flour
2T espresso coffee grounds.
Cream butter, vanilla and sugar together. In a separate bowl mix flour with coffee grounds. Combine all ingredients to make a ball of dough. Press the dough into a square about ½ – ¾ inch thick. Cut into sticks approximately 3 inches by 1 inch.Place on cookie sheet and bake at 325°F for about 15 minutes. Once cooled, dip one end of cookie in melted chocolate. Drizzle a little extra melted chocolate on the rest of the cookie.
©2009, Bonnie Hooley
For more great recipes like this, visit Bonnie’s Kitchen.
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