There’s something wonderful about chocolate fondue.
I had other words I was planning on posting for Valentine’s Day, and all day, I searched for time to write. Saying yes to writing, saying yes to peering at the backlit laptop screen, allowing my heart to pour through to my fingertips as I type, saying yes to all this that sounds so good, would also mean saying “NO”.
Breakfast was later than usual today, which meant for a late start to our homeschool day, and lessons are dragging. As I am sitting in front of Son attempting to have him do a short problem in math, he is squirming, fidgeting and building towers with his pencils instead of writing with one. It takes all of me to bite my tongue and keep from spouting, “Do you know how many other things I would rather to be doing right now?!? I want to write about LOVE!”. Although, the only words that matter or the ones I walk out my days living.
I pull back the reigns and bridled as best I could the member that can not be tamed, and following a deep sigh, I help him focus. We finish the day’s lessons with him reading aloud to me from his first chapter book. This struggling reader has persevered, and it is evident today as he reads to me so well. I am encouraged by his progress. This, I almost said “NO” to.
Grace somehow brought us through lessons with joy. It is lunch time. Grandma is taking Son on a lunch date, pre-teen is out working with her horses, eldest is at her group classes, and toddler baby girl is peacefully napping. Giddy with excitement for some time alone to finally journal, with laptop in hand, I am about to enter my room that is off the kitchen, and pre-teen walks in.
A bit disappointed, I ponder. “Do I steal some “Me Time” and hide away for the next hour or do I take this kind of moment, that I am always on alert for, to engage and connect with one of my baby’s hearts?” So, I ask her, “Do you want me to hang with you a bit?”, with me selfishly hoping to hear one answer, she hesitates in giving hers. Her hesitation becomes my answer. I put my laptop down and close my bedroom door where toddler is resting, and I walk in the kitchen and stand with her while she is snacking on potato chips. We talk. I smile big at her. I listen to her jabber. But most importantly, I am available. My attention is hers. I am in the present with her laughing and loving, knowing this is where I am supposed to be. And this, I almost said “NO” to.
My afternoon did not go as I had planned, but I believe it went as God did plan. Now it is getting close to dinner, and I send a short list to Husband, who never says no, for a detour to the grocery store before coming home. While in the grocery store, his thoughts turn to us at home. He decides he wants to prepare a special chocolate treat for us, this Valentine’s Eve. His “YES” to me is an expression of his love, and of His LOVE.
Everyday the God Who is LOVE, Who summed up the law in two commands of LOVE, to love God withholding nothing, and love others as we would like to be, is still showing me how to LOVE.
I am a slow learner. He demonstrates it to me through His greatest gift to me on this earth. Husband, who truly loves me as Christ loves the Church has proven over the past decade and a half, his long-suffering unconditional love for me.
My Valentine makes us Chocolate Fondue.
A simple yet deliciously fun dessert that, here I will share.
It takes 1 cup of whipping cream, heated but not boiled,
and 1 bag of chocolate chips melted in. I am partial to Ghirardelli.
My husband’s masterpiece made for us, with love this Valentine’s Eve.
Our unexpected Valentine…
And treats for Daddy’s Valentines (minus lil one)… Maybe this idea isn’t Pinterest worthy, but it was Husband’s idea and that makes it everything to me.
