There’s Nothing That Says LOVE Like Chocolate

I have a confession to make. I LOVE chocolate so much so, that I should be a member of Chocoholics Anonymous!

So of course, I chose the chocolate cake slice instead of the white cake slice that was lovingly distributed to our community in honor of Valentine’s Day. This love celebration started with a precious couple here who sincerely “love” and they put that love to action. They had taped an invitation on every resident’s door that said: “Valentine’s is a special time when we choose to honor those in our lives who we love and who are special to us. Please come join us (even if we haven’t met yet or we don’t know you well) on Monday, Feb 14th from 3 to 4 pm in the Commons Area for a piece of Valentine’s cake to celebrate our love and gratitude for being our friends and neighbors.”

My reply to their kindness in our FB residents’ group: “On behalf of our Everleigh friends and neighbors, Steve & Julie (and your helpers), please accept our sincere appreciation for such a beautiful act of “loving your neighbors as you love yourselves”! I know I speak for everyone who enjoyed the delicious cake and fellowship…..THANK YOU! We appreciate your kindness and generosity so much! ❤

Now, back to my love for chocolate. One of my earliest childhood memories was my Mom’s chocolate gravy and chocolate pie. Then there was my Dad who, after Sunday night church, took me to the little convenience store next door for a Chocolate Soldier drink, I remember the ice cream truck coming through the neighborhood and my favorite: Chocolate Fudgesicle! So I blame this addiction on my parents. That was just the beginning. You can see how someone could become a chocolate connoisseur,, and I am.

Say “chocolate” and my eyes still light up. I’ve never outgrown the delight of indulging in chewy, creamy, dark or light, shake or malt, crunchy or nutty chocolate! My mouth is watering even as I type this post. Okay, I know you’re saying “I know somewhere in here Donna is about to get to her punch-line. You’re right, and here goes!

The Psalmist David wrote in Psalm 119:103 “How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!” And in Psalm 34:8 he wrote, “Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him.”

So I ask myself, and I ask you, “Do our eyes light up in delight when we hear God’s Words, like they light up when we hear “chocolate” or another favorite food or treat? Do we savor God’s Word, when we share that morsel of delight with someone else? Or has our “sweet tooth” for God’s Word and His love for us AND for others (like our Valentine’s love celebration from my friends) become a hum-drum routine love affair where the chocolate is bitter, it’s melted and the the wonder and de-light has gone out?”

Oh, that we would fall in love anew today with God and His Word — delight in His presence and rejoice in His love. Let’s rekindle our love for Him so much that we light up someone’s world today, as we share a smile, a hug, a prayer, a gift, a word of encouragement –and yes, some CHOCOLATE cake, too!