Valentine's day will be here before you know it. Just look in the stores and you will see all the candy ready to be purchased for some sweetheart. Reality is that about the time of year the weather is less than wonderful, its cold, cloudy and in many parts of the country its snowing. For Juan and Maria the weather doesn't matter; they can only see one another and when the heart is full of love, other things just are not very important. Which, of course reminds me of a passage from the New Testament. Read what the apostle Paul has to say and I think you will see the connection.Php 1:12-18
(12) Now I desire to have you know, brothers, that the things which happened to me have turned out rather to the progress of the Good News;
(13) so that it became evident to the whole praetorian guard, and to all the rest, that my bonds are in Christ;
(14) and that most of the brothers in the Lord, being confident through my bonds, are more abundantly bold to speak the word of God without fear.
(15) Some indeed preach Christ even out of envy and strife, and some also out of good will.
(16) The former insincerely preach Christ from selfish ambition, thinking that they add affliction to my chains;
(17) but the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the Good News.
(18) What does it matter? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed. I rejoice in this, yes, and will rejoice.
Sometimes circumstances really don't matter; Paul didn't care why people were proclaiming the Gospel, he was just happy it was being done. He knew, just as the couple in the picture do, that the ultimate goal of love is love and even though the surroundings may be unpleasant, love sees only the ultimate good. Having said all that, be sure to buy an extra large box of candy for your sweetie this upcoming holiday, you probably won't even notice the slight increase in her waistline. Besides, she might even give you something??