A handful of roses and thousands of kisses…

I will complain with the best of them that
Valentine’s Day is over-commercialized. Yes, I will call it
“Singles Awareness Day” too. In 24 years I
don’t remember ever having a very romantic Valentine’s Day… and yet, I’d be
lying if I said I hated it. The truth is, I still think the idea of a day where
you celebrate love is beautiful, and my heart gets kind of wrapped up in the
ideal. And yes, I will admit that I am a complete sap and a hopeless romantic.

But here I am, single again on Valentine’s
Day. Not exactly the ideal. And don’t worry – I’ve been reminded of it often…
it seems one of the most popular questions to ask an American girl in India is
“you married?” or “you have husband?”

It should have been enough that God whisked
me away here for a little “love retreat” with Him. Here I am, in beautiful
Rajahmundry, in a tropical climate surrounded by palm trees and enjoying the
sunshine. Here I am, in a beautiful home with my own room, being treated
wonderfully well by the house staff – these amazing women who dress me in their
gorgeous sarees, bring me tea, and cook delicious Indian food. Here I am, with
hundreds of school children and orphans I love, living out God’s call on my
life to care for orphans. It should have been more than enough… but my heart still
felt distant.

Valentine’s Day came and went without
celebration (though I loved my cards from my Mom and roomie – thanks you two!),
and I found myself a little lonely at the end of the day. I couldn’t help but
be distracted by a million thoughts in my head, all my “to do”s, and just
feeling detached – so far away from the people I love and even feeling a little
distant from God.

And so, as if He hadn’t already done
enough, I asked Him to romance me. A simple prayer before I went to bed:

“God, please pursue my heart. I need to
feel Your love.”

The next morning, we walked into the
sanctuary where the hundreds of school children and orphans were waiting. A
beautiful little girl met me at the door with a single white rose. I couldn’t
help but smile.

But it was only the beginning…

One by one, a handful of children brought
pink and white roses to show their love for us. And then the kisses began…

Even more than the children at our first
orphanage, these children fight to pour out affection. They long for a kiss, a
touch, all pressing in to hold our hands, to kiss our face, to have us kiss
their cheeks… those who can’t get close
enough will touch our cheek and then put their fingers to their lips for a
kiss, others will kiss our hands…

Today they poured out their kisses on us,
hundreds of children and thousands of kisses on our cheeks, forehead, lips, and
hands, and then kissing our hands again as we climbed into the car to leave –
signing “I love you” as the car pulled away.

I left, overwhelmed by affection, sure that
my Loving God had answered my prayer.

“Let Him kiss me with the kisses of His
mouth – for Your love is more delightful than wine.”

Song of Songs 1:2