by Jill Pearson
We love because He first loved us.
John 4:19
It’s no accident that you will see “LOVE” in many of the titles of this month’s stories, since the bleak mid-winter is brightened each February by a nod to St. Valentine and the topic of love. I tried to find out who, exactly, St. Valentine was and why he’s considered the patron saint of lovers (along with epileptics and beekeepers, oddly) but, alas, the romantic theme appears to be based in a poem by Chaucer and subsequently capitalized on by Hallmark. In fact, St. Valentine was removed from the General Roman Calendar in 1969 for a lack of reliable information about him. I did come upon a link to his supposed “martyrdom and gruesome death” but I resisted the click. The sketchy history of Valentine, however, has not stopped us from sharing some romantic and inspiring stories by women of Calvary!
You’ll read about Nancy’s sacrificial love, Angie’s sports-themed romance, and Dianne’s love of choir. You’ll be inspired by Grace’s tender testimony and Somanie’s fascinating journey from Haiti to America. You’ll collect fun date night ideas and biblical thoughts on marriage from Katherine, and celebrate how Chelley, a Calvary teen, used her Make a Wish family trip to serve others. Personally, I can’t wait to try Karyn’s Lovely Lava Cake and read the book, Don’t Look Back, reviewed by Beth.
Karyn, Beth, and I are grateful to the women who graciously share their stories each month for The Stir, and we hope you are blessed and edified by their words.
Jill Pearson is co-editor of The Stir, wife to Dave, and mom to three young adults who have flown the nest but are easily lured back with an offer of dinner. She owns and operates Riverwood Studio, an art education business, and finds creative ways to serve at Calvary.