Just Receive
Written by Brady Erickson on February 17, 2020
My wife would normally tell you that I’m pretty well prepared for any holiday when it arrives. Amy would actually tell you that I spoil her in an over-the-top kind of way. I would disagree but that’s not the point. This recent Valentine’s Day was the latest opportunity I had to show her that she is the most important and special person in my life. This Valentine’s Day, however, I let get away from me. But this isn’t a story of failure. It’s a story of loving her well most of the time and an amazing gift of grace from God.
As most people would claim, Amy and I would say our lives are pretty busy. We have two businesses, a non-profit we’re trying to get off the ground, volunteering in our church, trying to be intentional about our own relationship, homeschooling our youngest child and being a Christ-like example to our four kids and the people around us. AND it’s not even hunting season! ;-) So I feel okay flying the “we’re crazy busy” flag. Well these past few weeks have had even more piled on my plate than normal. It got to the point where Valentine’s Day snuck up on me and I had nothing planned or purchased to shower my bride with the love that I want her to feel.
Just to proclaim that I’m not a complete slouch I did ask Amy if she wanted to go someplace for a nice dinner a week before the actual event. My wife is an introvert (melancholy in inclusion for you fellow temperament nerds). The thought of being in an overly crammed restaurant on a Friday night on Valentine’s Day had zero appeal to her. What she preferred was to make dinner together at home away from all that crazy. Great, we had the beginnings of a plan. However, as you might imagine, I dropped the ball on that too.
The day before Valentine’s Day Amy and I were standing in my office. I was trying not to feel ashamed that I was failing at this holiday. I asked her what she wanted to make for our Valentine’s Day meal. She joyfully exclaimed that she had already decided on the menu and had bought the things we needed. “AND” she exclaimed “I bought myself flowers too!” I had more brief thoughts of failure but I still had a lot on my mind so I had to change my focus.
Later that night I was on my way home from a meeting. As I was driving God showed me something very loving and very cool. He showed me that the events earlier that day was Amy showing me grace because she knew very well that my schedule was extra busy and I was extra stressed. She was loving me by doing for herself the things I would normally do – and she did them joyfully! That blew my mind. Then God continued to blow my mind. He showed me that if I had made a half-baked attempt at trying to do something, I would have missed out on this awesome gift of His love and grace.
I got home and I had to share my revelations with my wife. She listened with a look on her face that she already knew all of it. She just kept smiling because she was happy that I understood it too! It wasn’t something that her and God did for me where I would remain oblivious. Rather He explained it to me as well so all three of us were on the same page.
We literally don’t have to do anything for Him to shower us with His love and grace. Nothing. All we have to do is receive it. This Valentine’s Day I did nothing. I just received. As I continue to think about all that He did through my wife I am left overwhelmed to be in the midst of a tangible example of His good and perfect gift of grace.