Valentines

This week we observed the commemoration martyr St. Valentine.  The commemoration of the death of this physician and priest, which occurred in 270 AD, became an early addition the calendar of the Western Church.  Tradition suggests that on the day of his execution for his Christian faith, Valentine left a note of encouragement for a child of  his jailer on a irregularly shaped piece of paper. This greeting became a pattern for millions of written expressions of love and caring that now are the highlight of Valentines day in many nations.  

This week I reflect on the many valentines I have received over the course of my treatment.  They have come in the form of letters of encouragement, cards filled with our Lord's promises from members of previous congregations who I have known, from Indiana, Ohio, Texas, Wisconsin, Kansas and from California.  They have also come in the form of emails and face book messages. And, they have come in irregular forms expressions of love and caring written on a giant card from the congregation of Fairlawn Lutheran, in Ohio and on a quilt from my beloved Trinity congregation some have come without words in the form of prayer shawls. From the children of Trinity School I have received many misshapen hand made, and hand written expressions of love and care with verses of scripture, God's promises attached. For this I give thanks to the Lord. I am the recipient of the love and care of our Lord through the communion of saints.  We all share in each other's burdens we rejoice together in Lord's promises. In Christ, we have have this common fellowship of love, caring and mercy. 

At this time, I am still waiting. I am finishing my third round of chemotherapy. The doctors say that it will be another three weeks before I start my next stage of treatment at UCLA.  We are taken precautions so that I remain relatively healthy. I am still struggling with maintaining my blood pressure. I am struggling with not knowing day to day how I will feel.  The three weeks seems like an eternity in some respects. So I still covet your expressions of love and caring reminding me of our Lord's promises as I wait for my deliverance from this disease.