The sound of a small airplane taking off wakens me. Realizing it’s only our coffee machine grinding beans, getting ready to brew our morning coffee, I groan, roll over to glance at the clock and notice that the timing just isn’t right. It’s 7:30…our coffee goes off at 7:50 every morning. Something is wrong. When my fog clears, I realize something is really, really wrong…I didn’t set the coffee last night! How could all this be happening? Not knowing what to think and too tired to care, I roll back over to catch a few more winks. Not 5 minutes goes by and my night owl husband rolls out of bed to his alarm. Huh? The Driver set his alarm for this early? What in the hey-hoo is going on here? So much confusion for this non-early bird! I bury my head back under the covers, but begin thinking about how I can change things up a bit today. I don’t want to do school with my kids like normal today. What can we do that is fun, creative and yet we learn something new? What can we do that exemplifies love today?
As I drift in and out of sleep for a few more minutes, I realize that I am hearing the footsteps of The Driver. They have gone down the stairs and back up. I think I even heard a bit of clinking in the kitchen. Weird. Could he be getting our morning coffee? Uh…no. Never has he done such a thing. For some reason, I’ve always been the fake-morning person, getting up with the kids and getting the family going for the day, so this means I’ve always been the coffee deliverer. Wait. What’s that noise? As I peek out from under my cozy nest, I decide I must be having some sort of crazy dream. The Driver has entered our room with our morning coffee. Love. A simple cup of coffee and a whole lot of love has awoken me on this day of Love.
The kids are jumping out of their skin excited as I announce that we’re doing something different today. We’re gonna learn about love. What is it anyway? They each dig deep as they wade past the surface answers to answer this:
Love is…
Their list is admirable, but then we dig a little deeper and compare our list to what the Bible says love is.
“Love is patient. Love is kind. It does not want what belongs to others. It does not brag. It is not proud. It is not rude. It does not look out for its own interests. It does not easily become angry. It does not keep track of other people’s wrongs. Love is not happy with evil. But it is full of joy when the truth is spoken. It always protects. It always trusts. It always hopes. It never gives up. Love never fails.” ~ I Corinthians 13:4-8a
After much discussion, we’ve all got a lot to think upon now. The earlier verses in I Corinthians 13 say that if there is love, but no action…it is a waste. Wasting no time, we jump into putting some clothes onto our bones of love. H*rshey’s kisses are doled out, each person (including The Driver and me later in the day) giving a “kiss” with a word about what they love about that sibling. It is a powerful moment to listen in on. I try to record every word with my mind, hoping time will not erase this memory.
I look across the dining room table, seeing an explosion of messy love as everyone pours out more love into making “love coupons” for each other (and beyond). Markers and scissors are strewn across the table. Construction paper, glue sticks, stickers, printables, and tape are everywhere, even the floor. The giving of love goes on as they each dream up ideas for how to bless someone with their love. Everyone is almost giddy and gushing at this point. It’s a blissful moment in the life of a mom.
As each one creates, so do I through text messages, counting thy ways I love my man. Love carries each of us through our day with a new understanding of what love is. Even in the midst of a little intense fellowship with my man because of a misunderstanding, I reflect that love doesn’t give up. Love never fails. The counting of ways continues.
It’s not easy and it doesn’t have to be expensive, but sometimes we make it so complicated. Look what the power of love can do with such simple words and actions. Each heart in our home is swelling tonight.
“…sometimes we make it so complicated.” i altogether miss love when i make it complicated. it is the little ordinary things that are truly love to me.
great post brandy.
glad you enjoyed valentine’s day and living in Love with your family.
Love, love, love it! Brought tears to my eyes. What a great day!