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Music Monday from Nikki

Monday Meditation

13 Feb

In place of my normal Monday Meditation, today I am so very pleased to have Nikki from Simply Striving here to share her beautiful heart. She does a regular post on Mondays called Music Monday and I asked her if she would be willing to do that here. She graciously accepted, and I am glad for you to meet her today.

Leather-bound journal

Creative Commons License photo credit: Nefi

I retreat up the stairs to my favorite quiet place, anxious to put my pen to page. What I will write is still unknown, but the anticipation is enough to fuel my excitement.

I’m not sure how long it’s been since I began this tradition. One thing I do know–it has revolutionized my view of the holiday upon us:

Valentines Day.

This used to be my least favorite holiday as I was certain it was a conspiracy of consumerism. An urge to spend money after the real holidays were over. And what better excuse was there but for love?

 

While talking this over with a co-worker one day, she glossed over words that stuck to me like leeches.

“Well, if you can’t change it, embrace it. Celebrate it your own way.”

One day I hope to tell her how much her comment moved me. How much it has changed my relationship with the One I choose to celebrate this day.

I flip through my journal now, reminiscent of the valentines I’ve penned in years past. And I smile wide when I find one. The indentations from words spilled on covering pages seem to add to its charm. Love fills my chest as I trace over each letter of every word.

Now I close my eyes, waiting for words to travel to my fingers as I breathe in deep, clearing the path to my heart. I pray the words I pen will hold fast. That I live out every one. So when the time comes, I can unabashedly share these face-to-face.

These love letters to my Savior. My Eternal Valentine.

My pen starts flowing in steady, smooth strokes. It isn’t until I’m finished that I realize I’ve held my breath, waiting for this masterpiece to be done. And there it is. Four simple words that don’t mean much on their own, but seem to mean everything in this valentine:

You Can Have Me.

Doubt starts to intrude as I wonder if this is enough. If this shows enough passion. And as I’m staring at the words I’ve written, the song by the same name comes to mind:

You Can Have Me ~by Sidewalk Prophets

My thoughts linger long on the lyrics penned in this valentine song.

♪♫ If I saw You on the street And You said come and follow me But I had to give up everything All I once held dear and all of my dreams

Would I love You enough to let go Or would my love run dry When You asked for my life

When did love become unmoving? When did love become unconsuming? Forgetting what the world has told me Father of love, You can have me

You can have me

If You’re all You claim to be Then I’m not losing anything So I will crawl upon my knees Just to know the joy of suffering

I will love You enough to let go Lord, I give you my life I give you my life

You can have me

I want to be where You are I’m running into Your arms And I will never look back So Jesus, here is my heart

You can have me My Father, my love You can have me ♪♫

I close my journal leaving it just as it is. Yes, this valentine might be my best one yet. . .

How about you? Do you make a valentine for your Savior? If not, will you give it a try this year?

Thanks for sharing your time with me. And thank you, Lisa, for allowing me to share my valentine song.

Simply striving,

Nikki

 

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23 Comments

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Comments

  1. Rebecca says

    February 13, 2012 at 8:00 am

    Hmmm…something I haven’t considered….a valentine for Jesus….you may have given me what i’ve been looking for….for Valentine’s Day this year!!! Thank you!

    Reply
    • Nikki says

      February 13, 2012 at 9:05 am

      I’m so happy to hear that, Rebecca! I hope you give it a try.
      Have a wonderful day!
      ~Nikki

      Reply
  2. Katie @ simply[his] says

    February 13, 2012 at 10:59 am

    Ok, I really love your perspective on this, Nikki! The words, “you can have me” are so powerful! Love this post, friend!

    Reply
    • Nikki says

      February 13, 2012 at 11:49 am

      Thank you so much, Katie! Trust you will celebrate your Savior this Valentine’s day!

      Reply
  3. Nikki says

    February 13, 2012 at 11:52 am

    Lisa, you bless me so.
    Thank you so much for allowing me to spill words on your beautiful blog! You’re such a wonderful friend. . .
    May you delight in Him this Valentine’s Day (and enjoy celebrating with your lovely family)!
    All for Him, with love to you ~ Nikki

    Reply
    • Nikki says

      February 13, 2012 at 10:45 pm

      P.S. Lisa, thanks for letting me flood your comments today, too! I just had to respond to everyone 😉

      Reply
  4. Sam @ Sam's Noggin says

    February 13, 2012 at 4:03 pm

    Lovely post. 🙂

    Reply
    • Nikki says

      February 13, 2012 at 8:45 pm

      thank you, Sam! 🙂

      Reply
  5. Charina @ Pondered Thoughts says

    February 13, 2012 at 5:49 pm

    Love, love, love this Nikki! Thank you so much for the blessing of this post.

    I did make a Valentine for Him. Posted “a love like no other” to remind everyone that He loves us faithfully not just on Valentines day but always…

    Reply
    • Nikki says

      February 13, 2012 at 8:46 pm

      Thank you, Charina! And thanks for sharing your valentine with us, too!

      Reply
  6. Lisa says

    February 13, 2012 at 8:53 pm

    Absolutely beautiful! You just gave me some wonderful ideas about celebrating this day with my children tomorrow– focus it on the Lord, the way it should be. 🙂

    Many blessings,
    Lisa

    Reply
    • Nikki says

      February 13, 2012 at 10:40 pm

      Oh I’m so thrilled you’re going to do this with your children, Lisa! I had my 3 year old do one today. He drew a family portrait on the valentine and I teared up of course. Yes, Jesus, Here are all of us — For you! 🙂

      (and thanks for stopping by!)

      All for Him,
      Nikki

      Reply
  7. aurie says

    February 13, 2012 at 9:21 pm

    Ahh.. Nikki – I love your words. they are always a soothing balm to my soul 🙂 Thank you for blessing Lisa and me today!!

    Reply
    • Nikki says

      February 13, 2012 at 10:42 pm

      Oh, you bless me every day, Aurie! Thank you so much for your kind words…

      Reply
  8. Shelly Miller says

    February 13, 2012 at 9:24 pm

    I was looking at cards the other day and thought I would put them back and write my own Valentine to my husband. After all, I am a writer. But this, it never occurred to me Nikki. What a beautiful idea. Just like you!

    Reply
    • Nikki says

      February 13, 2012 at 10:44 pm

      Oh I love that you’re going to make them, Shelly! Those are my favorite kind of cards to receive — hand-written from the heart.
      Thank you for your kind words and encouragement!

      Reply
  9. Dolly @ soulstops says

    February 13, 2012 at 11:37 pm

    What a wonderful idea to reclaim the day by writing a love letter to Jesus! I wrote a poem for hubby and another one for our girl, but you have inspired me to write one for Jesus….your four words are the most important ones! Love your heart for Him, Nikki 🙂

    Reply
    • Nikki says

      February 13, 2012 at 11:55 pm

      I love that you wrote separate poems for your daughter and hubby, Dolly.
      And am thrilled you’re adding one for Jesus, too!
      Thanks for joining me over at Lisa’s today!

      Reply
  10. Barbie says

    February 14, 2012 at 12:00 am

    This is so beautiful. I never considered making a Valentine for Jesus. I know it’s tomorrow, but will have to give this some serious thought. After all, who says my Valentine to Jesus has to be on the day. I can give Him one any time I want to! You are such a tremendous blessing to the Body of Christ. Your words are bring warmth and always point me back to the Father!

    Reply
    • Nikki says

      February 14, 2012 at 10:42 am

      Thank you so much, Barbie! I’m so thrilled you’re going to rise to the challenge of creating a personal Valentine for your Savior! To God be the glory!
      (and I’m praying for you today, friend)

      All for Him,
      Nikki

      Reply
  11. Theresa says

    February 15, 2012 at 8:28 pm

    beautiful. just simply beautiful.

    Reply
    • Nikki says

      February 16, 2012 at 12:15 am

      Thank you, Theresa!

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. You Can Have Me « simplystriving says:
    February 13, 2012 at 8:56 am

    […] you stop by TheArmyChapsWife […]

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Good Words

Lisa is a great editor. She is thorough, and offers suggestions to help ensure my articles and ebooks are clear and concise. She’s a great communicator and has a way of offering suggestions and feedback in a positive manner. Having an editor you feel is as invested in your work as you are is priceless. That’s what you get with Lisa.

Leah Nieman
LeahNieman.com

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