Tag: Valentines Day

We Do Family Different: Love

Love never fails. It is one of the most simple and profound truths of life. Love existed before man and it will continue to exist after the earth has passed away. Of course this is God’s Love. Eternal and unchanging just like He is. This Love that never fails is free of human imperfections and cannot be corrupted, twisted or manipulated for personal gain. It is however, the foundation and framework God establishes all of our relationships in, especially family.

We use 1 Corinthians 13 in a lot in wedding invitations, showers and presents and I cannot fathom a more appropriate place for it, but it should not be relegated only to that place. In truth, it really should be a gift given at all baby showers and births because Love is the ultimate foundation for parenthood and family.

My husband and I have five amazing kids that span a total of 3 years. God rocked our worlds as He baptized us into parenthood. It is a refining fire. Reading 1 Corinthians 13 never fails to bring their faces to mind as I fix my mind on these verses. Not only because I struggle to put aside my own selfishness (yes, I did just scream at my kids while writing these very words), but because as their mom I am called to walk them through the process of setting their own selfish pursuits aside and learning to live this Love as well. Family is where we learn to love as God loves us: “while we were yet sinners.”

This is the Love we celebrate on Valentine’s Day! Here is a day to celebrate the enduring love of God.

Read 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 and pray Romans 5:8.

Romans 5:8

Father, help me love my family as you have loved us: “in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Teach this family to love each other through our brokenness and imperfection.

Valentines Blitz

I hope everyone had a happy Valentines day last week! We started the morning off right with a bouquet of balloons for the kids and cards from their grandparents.

As you can see it was good fun. Then we finished up the weekend with pink, heart-shaped pancakes. Brian’s creative skills at work there. (Yes, he looks good in a kitchen!)

Esther had fun at her Valentines Day party at school. They made little crafts together and for the last hour the parents were allowed to come. So I went and I enjoyed some Valentine Day fun with the littles in her class.

Then, the next day was 77! So we abandoned the house and played outside all day. I got a bad case of Spring Fever and I’ve been planning my garden ever since.

Pray for them

It is easy to get distracted with romance on Valentines Day, but in truth, love is the essence of the One who created the heavens and the earth. He left His throne in heaven and gave His life for ours so that we would know His love. All love originates from Him. I believe it is the most powerful force in heaven and on earth and there is nothing that can withstand the power of His love.

Father, “if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy,” I pray (Name) will with (his/her) brothers and sisters in Christ be “of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.” Protect the bond of unity and peace between (Name) and the church. In Jesus’ name I ask this, amen. – Philippians 2:1-2

Prayers taken from the BiblicalPrayers mobile app. Download today on the App Store or Google Play store.

Pink Heart Pancakes

The base of this recipe is “Fluffy Pancakes” from Allrecipes. This is my favorite pancake recipe because it is delicious and I can alter it for whatever I want. (The secret is in the butter.) This is a double batch because anything less would result in a family mutiny.

  • 1 1/2 cup Milk
  • 1/4 cup White Vinegar
  • 2 cups Flour
  • 1/4 cup Sugar
  • 2 tsp Baking Powder
  • 1 tsp Baking Soda
  • 1 tsp Salt
  • 2 Eggs beaten
  • 4 Tbsp Melted Butter
  • 1 tsp Vanilla
  • 8 drops Red Food Dye (adjust for desired colored).

Preheat griddle to 350 degrees. In a bowl, combine milk and  vinegar and set aside (Or, if you have it on hand you can simply substitute 1 3/4 buttermilk). In a large bowl combine flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Add milk, eggs, butter, vanilla and food dye. Mix until smooth.

Use a squeeze bottle to shape batter into hearts on the griddle (or a spoon if you don’t have a squeeze bottle on hand). Serve hot with whipped cream and strawberries.