As my 20th Wedding Anniversary approached, I found myself agonizing over picking out the right card for my husband. After 20 years together, so many of the cards out there didn't sound like reality. A funny card seemed too trite after 20 years. A romantic card filled with all the things I said to him the first few years of our marriage sounded too gushy. The spiritual card sounded too serious. I ended up choosing reality and gave him one that talked of his support and friendship and about him being there through "life's challenges." I had to laugh when his card to me also mentioned the word "challenge."

My card hunt got me thinking about my Heavenly Husband. What kind of card would I pick out for Him after 20 years together? (Actually, for the Lord and me, it's been 35 years!) Would I get him the card that says "You're my Knight in Shining Armor"? I've written books on how He is our Perfect Prince. It's true He's never let me down and like the cards say "I can't imagine my life without Him." Or would it be more appropriate to choose one that talks about "weathering the storms together" and knowing that through it all His love has been there?  I know that every perfect line I read in a greeting card is true of the Perfect Love,  the Lord Jesus. In fact, picking out a card for Him would be quite easy.

 

But what  if God were picking out a card for you or me? What if He wanted to express His sentiments to us after "all these years together"? You know, He already has...in several places throughout Scripture. He's given us the romantic card: "I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving kindness" (Jeremiah 31:3); a card of sacrifical love: "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends" (John 15:13); and a card of encouragement and support: "We will shout for joy when you are victorious and will lift up our banners in the name of our God" (Psalm 20:5). To be honest, God would have every right to give me a card that said "In spite of the mess you've been most of your life, amazingly I'm still here." Yet, instead of boasting on Himself, He would probably continue to dote on me instead, saying something like: "I still see you as beautiful as the day you first acknowledged My love." It's obvious to me that when it comes to a relationship with God, He's the shining star. He's the one who "puts up" with us. He's the One who patiently endures the relationship. He's the One who never gives up. He's the One.  

 

Would you like to open a card this Valentine's Day and read of your True Love's heart for you? Then open your Bible to Psalm 23 and read of how He cares for you. Or turn to Ephesians 1 and read of all He's given you. Or read Revelation 21 of His promise to come back for you. And if you still need a refresher course in how He sees you,  pick up my book When God Pursues a Woman's Heart." I wrote it 5 years ago when I was needing to be pursued and romanced...and it continues to remind me of the One who never gives up on me every time I re-read it.

 

Don't let another day go by without realizing...and appreciating...just how much He pursues your heart. And this Valentine's Day, why not pick out the perfect card for HIM? Or better yet, write one out for Him in your own words and put it in a place where you can read it over and over again, and remember just how much He has pursued your heart.