loved

I will admit, I am a sucker for Valentine's Day.  I love heart shaped cards and candy and cookies.  I love seeing the reds and pinks.  I love sweet little notes, texts, even phone calls.  I don't think we need to depend on a DAY to remind us we are loved, but it doesn't hurt.

Today I am remembering that we are loved ... fully known ... completely forgiven ... unconditionally loved.  Loved while we were still sinners.  Loved on our best day as well as our worst.  Loved for who we are ... and for who we CAN be.  We were loved before we were.  We are loved into who we can be.  We are loved.  No matter who we are, where we come from, how many cards were in our figurative boxes today, we are loved by our Creator.  Loved by our Savior.  Loved.  And somehow that is more than enough!

And these are just some of the reasons why I know I am loved today ...
182. sunshine
183. an afternoon run OUTSIDE ... and it was glorious
184. dinner with someone I love ... and he picked Mexican for me
185. chocolate covered strawberries
186. beautiful pink sky as I drove to dinner and the sun set
187. having enough spring break details done that I can breathe ... and maybe sleep ALL night
188. chocolate in heart shaped boxes
189. the little neighborhood girl who waves at me when she gets off the bus
190. curling up under the covers with my kindle
191. a text message about something simple that reminded me of the beauty of a restored friendship
192. seeing a spark of delight at a carefully chosen gift and knowing the meaning of the words written in the card