Happy Valentine’s Day!
“You have the key to my heart!”
I’m sure most of you who celebrated Valentine’s Day when you were youngsters received at least one valentine that had the above comment or one like it.
Just recently Hardy and I had a day that caused us to ponder the significance of keys.
It was a Wednesday and the day began with a "key" reference. We like to start our day by reading from “Rejoice!” (a quarterly inter-Mennonite journal with daily devotionals).
We read about Peter, whose relationship with Jesus moved from confession (a declaration that he believed Jesus was the "Messiah, the Son of the living God") to denial (not long after, Peter denied even knowing Jesus) to return (again declaring his love and devotion to Jesus and his willingness to help build the church).
The writer of the devotional (Jennie Wintermote) drew the conclusion that God’s love for Peter never stopped. In fact, Jesus said to him, "I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; what you prohibit on earth will be prohibited in heaven, and what you permit on earth will be permitted in heaven." (Matthew 16.19)
We wondered how an unreliable and fallible human being could be trusted with such a great honour. Peter himself must have wondered exactly what that meant. Jesus went on to explain that this was not about power and control but about self-sacrificial love (Matthew 16.24-25), and that anyone who was willing to embrace it would receive the same promise that was given to Peter (16.18-19).
After we read this significant passage about keys, we went about our day. Hardy had some errands and shopping to do and I went to church to look after children while their mothers had a Community Kitchen event. The smells coming from the kitchen were incredible, and following the session for that day I received a dinner to take home with me. My friend dropped me off and I fumbled with my house keys and all the stuff I was carrying. It was one of the coldest days we have had this winter and I was anxious to get into the house.
Hardy got home just before me. He had a "key" story to tell me. While shopping he suddenly realized his set of keys were missing. He retraced his steps, looked everywhere, but couldn’t find them. Finally he went to customer service and ... someone had turned them in! He was so relieved.
I listened to his story and thankfully did not remind him that he should have taken the phone with him so he could call someone, or that he should have the keys somehow connected to his wallet, etc.
Just after Hardy finished telling me his story, the doorbell rang. I went to answer it and the person who does our snow shovelling held up my set of keys and said he had found them in the door! We just looked at each other incredulously. That man could have walked away with our keys and we would never have been the wiser. (Hardy also refrained from lecturing me!)
What is interesting to us is that this all happened in one day. Which got me thinking about keys and their significance.
Keys are such an important part of our lives, I'm sure there are many "key" stories out there. Feel free to share them!
You have composed a lively collection of keys, even tying in a Valentine theme.
ReplyDeleteCliff has a key story. Once when he was on the road doing hundreds of performances yearly in public schools, he left his keys in the door of his van containing all the equipment for his livelihood. We agree God had sent angels of protection during the night. Someone could have stolen the expensive equipment or, worse, driven away with the van entirely.
Thank God for His watch-care and for spouses (you and Hardy) with self-control. Ha!
Thanks for sharing your story, Marian. Wow, what relief Cliff must have felt! About self-control...the last on the list of the fruits of the spirit! Seems if we could have that one nailed down the others would come much easier!
DeleteYou have described the kind of love based on trust and mutual support and tolerance of foibles that characterize the best long marriages. Happy Valentine's Day!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Shirley. Each phase of marriage has its learning curve and we are in the retirement stage which has its own challenges! Happy Valentine's Day to you and Stuart!
ReplyDeleteMy grandchildren are being introduced to a new kind of key ... one that can't be lost. They are just of the age that they can be trusted to get off the school bus and stay alone for half an hour before mom comes home from work. When they get home they don't use a key but press memorized numbers into a key pad on the door. This unlocks the door but the lock box is also connected to mom'S phone so she can see if they have arrived safely and will also enable her to see anyone who comes to the door!
ReplyDeleteI had a sneaky suspicion someone was going to tell me about something electronic that would unlock things without keys! You are the one! Soon we’ll all just have to remember numbers instead of remembering where our keys are. Neither is very appealing to me at this stage of my life!
DeleteI have a key story that also involves a very patient and understanding husband (Alain) and a not so patient wife (that would be me). A number of years ago on a very cold Jan morning I was getting ready for work. Al was leaving for work and offered to start my vehicle for me so it would be warm when I got in. He had been gone fore about 10 minutes and I was dressed and ready to go, but couldn’t find my car keys. I hunted for about 10 minutes, then called him on his cell, in a panic, saying I couldn’t find my keys, did he have them, were they in his pocket, maybe one of the kids had them. He finally got me to stop talking and very patiently said, “Marge, open the door to the garage and tell me what you see. I opened the door and there was my car, running and toasty warm. ����
ReplyDeleteUnderstanding and patient are the right words for Al! Dad had a German saying, don’t know if you remember it: “Geduld, das ist was.” Translation: “Patience is a virtue.” He also used to tell me that life would teach me to be patient. I think to some extent it has, but I’ve got a ways to go!
ReplyDeleteThanks mom; I love your conpositions!!
ReplyDeleteHappy Valentine's day to one awesome mom!!
Thanks, Heidi, you have my heart!
ReplyDeleteJust this past week we locked ourselves out of our apartment! Both of our keys inside. We were going to go for a quick walk before speaking at a valentines dinner. Our daughter has a key and she was able to come and help us. She could have been gone. We were so thankful. I did not respond with patience as I should have. It is so easy to blame the other!! Now we are trying to remember to both take our keys!! Thank you for the story, Elfrieda.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your story, Hazel. So glad you made it for your appointment. Your experience reminded me of another key story involving my baby sister locked up in a hotel room and no one knew where the key was. We were emigrating to Canada and didn’t speak Spanish. My sister hollered for quite a while. She still isn’t the quiet type.
ReplyDeleteGreat story, Elfrieda. I read this as we wait for ViaRail to chug into Winnipeg to take us along to the Fraser Valley, 4 hours late! "Key" spiritual practice: breathe...release...
ReplyDeleteErica Block
Great advice, Erica. Internet has been down today a lot, and I’m finding breathing...releasing... a good practice!
ReplyDelete