This is how we know what love is...

... Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters." 1 John 3:16

One of Nathan's spiritual gifts is acts of service.  I have learned so much from him over the years of our relationship together in this area.  I have seen how he drops what he's doing when asked for help, or when he sees a need and jumps on it without waiting to be asked, without being concerned about his own priorities.

A role we have assumed is to provide refreshments at the conclusion of our Friday evening church service.  We appreciate how it facilitates conversation and keeps folks from bolting out the door.  Usually it's store bought cookies or snack mix, but at least once a month Nathan tries to make something by hand.  I admit I get frustrated at times because I know how much more work it is, and that many times it feels like to make something homemade cuts into time I wanted to spend doing something else.  But as a result, it's become common knowledge that his are the hands behind the special sweets that occasionally grace the refreshment tray -- everything from apple crisp, to brownies, to chocolate chip cookies -- and it endears him to many as a result.  

Last week I remembered we had some nice heart-shaped cookie cutters and sweetly cajoled him into making some sugar cookies we could serve Friday evening in honor of Valentine's day.  Shortly after returning from a long day of errands in Tirana he made a large batch of dough and cut and baked 4 dozen cookies.

The next morning we frosted them and Nathan talked me into hand lettering them all.  FYI -- it didn't take as long as you might think, once I settled on the script.

Then that evening after the service we presented each person their own edible Valentine!  "Jesus Loves You!"

I had to convince a few folks that I had not simply grabbed some markers out of the supply closet, but they were indeed made with edible ink. :-)

This morning I posted the photo below on Facebook as our "digital Valentine" to our friends on social media.  I also shared the verse from 1 John 3:16 in Shqip and in English.

As prepared to publish this post, lacking only a title, I realized that the verse I had shared on Facebook was appropriate here too.  Today I'm thankful for a Valentine (Nathan) who models Christ-like love to our family, friends, and neighbors, starting with things as simple as a home made cookie.