Jody, my second oldest has become disenchanted with “organized religion” and more inclined toward intellectual pursuit, has enter NTS for his PHD in history. His wife, Lesli, whom I adore, is an Assistant AG for Texas and was raised in the Church of Christ. I have confidence in Jody’s salvation and confession of faith as a child of 6, but am uncertain about Lesli’s. Even so, my approach has necessarily changed when it comes to sharing the deep and continuing faith I have received from the Lord. I am not ready yet to run out and buy it for them, but I did chance gifting them both several years ago with Oswald Chamber’s MUFHH and more recently for Father’s Day presented Jody with Randy Alcorn’ Heaven, all of which have been relegated to a shelf behind the closed doore beneath their china cabinet.

I am reminded that, while I made a profession of faith at 14, I was well into my 30s before I truly began my search for God and just past 40, in the final days of divorce, before I saw the face of Christ.

More, however, I am glad that the two of you took this leap to challenge old concepts on the Christian life and the responsibility it demands if we are to be faithful to the one who created us with minds as well as emotion. Sad lives so many young men and women lead, searching for love in this world of human frailty. Did you read the recent articles on Michael Jordan’s Basketball Hall of Fame induction? I wasn’t necessarily surprised by his behavior, but it certainly shed light on the frailty of another “king”. Thank you for reminded me not to judge because I am so inclined except when I am reminded of God’s grace toward me.

One of my life’s ‘love stories’ shared with those friends ends meditatively and for me, personally and profoundly:

…And the AMAZING-NESS OF my husband’s love for me is that, tho’ he tried hard (because it hurt too much) to stop love, HE DID NOT. HE HAS NOT. I WONDER: MAYBE HE CANNOT… NOT. And that’s because LOVE is a miracle of the highest order…one that only comes from a devoted and adoring God. Love propels with a life of its own, it’s momentum gathering everything, everyone, in its wake…Love anywhere and everywhere is FROM GOD. BECAUSE THE UBIQUITUOUS LORD OF ALL IS, HIMSELF, LOVE. Did I mention that it (He) has a life of its own? Trust Love. On this St. Valentine’s Day: people. Really, I BEG YOU: TRUST LOVE!!!