Power packed month

The smallest month of the year is the one of the most important in terms of its unique potential for love. Of course, Valentine's day is one of the reasons one can make that determination. Tons of chocolates, flowers and other goodies are exchanged on the 14th. You can take it as a hint as this commercially designed, get rich card company day, is right around the corner, "if " you have forgotten. We joke about it, but it is extremely important that you do not forget that "special person" or people, in your life. I can remember my son gave his girl a nice homemade gift years ago, a big cookie made in a pizza pan that he personalized with icing.

Love is in the air. Is it any wonder that the "author of Love" would place so much importance on this four-letter word. So much so that the Parable of the Last Judgment is all about Christian love. It is our duty and mission to transform the world with our "personal love".

As a child raised in a large family with other large families around there was enough love to go around. Certain cultures are affectionate and other's are not. I remember going to visit my aunts and they always had a hug for us, that was on my dad's side. The other side, tended to be "cold" in comparison. They were not the hugging or kissing type, no kissing cousins. Yet, we knew that despite the culture difference, they were there for us, if we needed them. People who are unloved are often said to be sick, and hunger and thirst for that "need". The importance of being loved cannot be underestimated. Love of other's is a responsibility that cannot be ignored, that is if you want to be counted among those saved and those who will merit the Kingdom of Heaven. Everyone deserves to be loved irregardless of, lest we enter into judgement.

Nothing on this earth counts more than the power of love given you to share with someone else in need. It's Christ's love after all, period.

What is love? Many things...forgiveness, tenderness, patience, kindness, and sometimes just listening-being there for someone else, protecting, careing for, and being sensitive and non-judgemental. Remember that the measure that will be given us is determined by how much we give to others. Everything is determined by how much we love others. Put simply, "no love in you, no life in you." For in this, you will judged-- "if we denied someone love" by our refusal. Self-centeredness and hardened hearts are opposite of the Divine plan, in which God gave us His only begotton Son, because He Loves us.

Love is a decision. "For inasmuch as you have done it unto one of the least of these My brethren, you have done it unto Me..." (Orthodox Study Bible) "and what measure you use, it will be measured back to you."

Better make a list! Your future depends upon it.