EXPRESSIONS OF FAITH
Take time to share your love

By H. Murray Hohns

Soon she was sitting with our group at church every Sunday, and gathering with us for brunch after the service. Brunch is a place where we can risk being ourselves and share our hopes, dreams, problems and hurts. We regularly pray for each other at brunch, and over the years of sharing we have grown to love and to care for each other.

Now, this woman was no spring chicken when she joined us. Moreover she was single and short on cash. Some things had gone wrong in the 10 years that had passed since we had known each other. A failed marriage and losses in a business venture that had to be faced and solved and a future that was at best uncertain. Lots of things to pray about.

Slowly at first, she began to open up so we could pray about her situations. Soon a job came along, a job that she loves. There are challenges there and disappointments, too, but success and a sense of being valued and valuable are also there, and in greater measure. When her old car that had served her so well for so long and even had its own name refused to run anymore, we prayed and a new car arrived. In time, her money problems were conquered.

Wonderful timely answers to prayer; but what she really wanted was someone who would share her life. A car and a job are nice, but someone to love her and someone she could love was what truly mattered. Praying for the right man for her became a regular part of our Sunday brunch.

It is not easy to find that person because they seem so few and far between the older we get, but while it took some time, this is the season we celebrate Valentine's Day, and you should know the rest.

Yes, there was a 49-year-old fellow in the congregation who was praying for that certain lady, and, lo and behold, they met and romance blossomed.

There was much talk about my performing a wedding ceremony early this year. I thought I had another nice Valentine's Day story, but instead, at year end, he suffered a sudden severe heart attack, and instead of a wedding, I found myself performing his funeral service. Odd how life takes sudden turns.

It is still Valentine's Day. The severe mercy that our friend faced only makes more certain how precious we are to each other.

So this year, I suggest that you express your love to each other as this season prevails. Life is all about relationships, and the best way to celebrate this special day is make your relationships perfect. Then it will be Valentine's Day for you every day all year long. It only takes one person to do that. You are that person.

H. Murray Hohns of Makiki is a retired engineer and an associate pastor at New Hope Christian Fellowship. Expressions of Faith is a column that welcomes works by leaders in faith and spirituality. E-mail faith@honoluluadvertiser.com or call 525-8035. Articles submitted to The Advertiser may be published or distributed in print, electronic or other forms.