Sunday, February 13, 2011

A Joyvotion Valentine for You!



A Joyvotion Valentine for You



“I have loved you with an everlasting love.” Jeremiah 31:3a


Last week was one of those weeks that were filled with the tiny spaces between tears and anguish. Lots of “poor me” time.

One night toward the end of the week, after Noah went to take a bath, John shut off the TV show we were watching and looked at me. “What’s up, Robbie?”

“Just a hard day. Hard week. I feel like I’m focusing on all that I haven’t done, instead of what I have accomplished. I’m down on myself.”

My husband grinned. “I have some wisdom for you that will work.”

I expected a great spiritual truth. “Okay.”

“A Jedi Master once said, ‘Be mindful of your thoughts and feelings. They determine your reality.’”

I giggled. “Seriously? Yoda?”

“Oh, no. I don’t quote Yoda. That was Obi Wan Kenobi’s master Qui-Gon Jinn.” He paused and added. “It’s kind of like ‘As a man thinketh so he is.’ ” (Proverbs 23:7)

The next half hour was a mixture of tears and laughter as I poured out what I’d been thinking and feeling. John listened and offered wisdom when he sensed I wanted some.

After, I wiped my eyes and smiled. “I feel better. You know why? Cause I got to share my heart with you.”

John’s next words moved me. “Your heart is safe with me, Robbie.”

This time of year our thoughts, manipulated at times by cheesy commercials, run toward buying Hallmark Cards or chocolate for the ones we love. Or, even better, receiving them. :0)

A symbol of the holiday is the heart. As we give each other cards covered with colorful hearts, we ask, “Will you be my Valentine?”

But this Valentine’s Day, I encourage you to guard your heart and give it away only to those that will nurture it. Find a safe place. This takes wisdom and risk. Because, let’s face it, there are many more unsafe places to put our hearts than safe.

No matter if you’re in a relationship or not, there is always one, for certain, never-unsafe place for your heart. In the hands of a God who adores you and sent His son Jesus to die for you. And your heart.

I am so blessed by John. He is the love of my life. But he is not perfect and he has dropped my heart before. As I have, his.

But God? Never.

This Valentine’s Day, I hope for you an experience that surpasses all the boxes of chocolate, long stem roses and “He got it at Jared’s” moments.

A choice to look up to Christ and say, “Here’s my heart, Lord.”

It will always be safe with Him.



(If you would like to receive bi-monthly Joyvotions from me, just email me at robbieiobst at hotmail dot com. )

2 comments:

Donna Weaver said...

Robbie, Well writing, straight from the heart. Thanks for sharing such a touching and personal story. It's sad that the world wants us to constantly seek those "hallmark" moments but they are so short lived. God is the only one that is constant yesterday, today and tomorrow. Thanks for the reminder! Happy Heart Day to you and your husband :)

Cheryl Barker said...

We are so blessed to have a Savior with whom our hearts are always safe -- and you're blessed to have a husband who safeguards your heart as well, Robbie. Hope you guys had a wonderful Valentine's Day!