Hello, God. It's me, Mara.

You know, Lord, there’s a cute story about a young couple shopping in a second-hand store. The gal was looking for a frying pan like her grandmother had used. They passed several departments. As the gal passed the stuffed animals, she said, “Oh, Titus, look at that cute little bear. He’s wearing a heart on his front.”

Then she hurried on to the cooking ware department. Titus quickly grabbed up the bear, plus a few things that he wanted, paid for them, had the clerk tucked the items into a larger sack than necessary, then waited by the door for Shari. She came; he asked if she needed anything else, the answer was “No, not today.”

Several days later, Shari mentioned the little bear they had seen and thought that “next week,” when they were back to town, maybe they could stop in that store again and buy the bear. Titus just smiled and nodded his head. That next week they went back to the store — the bear was gone! The clerk mentioned that a young couple had been in last week and the boyfriend had bought the bear for his girlfriend. Shari smiled — then off they went for groceries, then home.

The next day was Valentine’s Day! They were extra busy that day with chores and were exhausted by bedtime. As they went into their bedroom, she noticed something on her pillow. She screamed with delight, ran into Titus’s arms with kisses and hugs, as there was that special bear. She quickly named the bear Angie.

Love does not focus on us but on others. We read in 1 Cor. 13:4-5, “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.”

Love, Mara