Pastor's Video Blog

Valentines Day is coming this Saturday. (“Men!” this is my subtle reminder for you!).

I have found that there are times in life when we just need a good story to make us smile. I believe that I have just the story. In fact, it is one of my favorite stories. Happy Valentines Day in advance!.

Lt. John Blanchard was stationed in Florida during WW2. One day he wandered into the base library & found a book to read. As he worked his way through the book he became impressed, not so much with the book, but with the notes penciled in the margin. The feminine handwriting showed insight & understanding as well as a bit of tenderness. He flipped to the front of the book & found the name of the previous owner of the book, the one who had donated it to the USO. Her name was Miss Alice Minell. Blanchard made some inquiries & found her address in New York state. He wrote her a letter, & the following day was shipped overseas. But her answering letter found its way to him overseas. For 13 months they corresponded. They opened their hearts to each other & realized that they were on the verge of falling in love. In one of his letters he requested her picture, but she refused by saying, "If you really love me it won’t make any difference what I look like." Finally he was shipped back to the states, & they made plans to meet. The place would be Grand Central Station, & the time was to be 7 p.m. She would carry a rose. He would be in uniform, carrying a copy of the book that started the whole thing. Finally it was 1 minute to 7:00. He straightened his uniform, his heart pumping anxiously. Now what I’m telling you is a true story, & from here on I’m going to let Blanchard tell it in his own words. "A young woman came toward me. Her figure was long & slim. Her hair was blond with curls. You could see a glimpse of her delicate ears, & her eyes were bluish black. Her lips & c hin had a gentle firmness, & she wore a pale green suit. She looked like spring come alive. "I started toward her, entirely forgetting to notice that she was not carrying a rose. As she passed me, a small provocative smile curled on her lips & she said, `Going my way, soldier?’ Almost uncontrollably I made a step in her direction, & then I saw the woman with a rose. "There she stood, past 40, gray hair tucked under a worn hat, more than plump. Her thick ankles were thrust deep into low heeled shoes. But she had a rose. The girl in the green suit walked on quickly, & I felt like I was going to split in two. I had a keen desire to follow that beautiful woman who had just passed. But I also had a deep longing for the woman whose spirit had truly companioned me in her letters during the war. "There she stood. Her pale plump face was gentle, sensible. Her gray eyes were warm & had a twinkle. I did not hesitate any longer. My fingers gripped the small worn book that was to identify me. I thought, `This may not be love, but it will be something precious.’ "I squared my shoulders, held out the book to the woman & said, `I’m Lt. John Blanchard, & you must be Miss Minell. I’m so glad finally to meet you. May I take you to dinner?’ "The woman’s face broadened in a smile. She said, `I don’t know what this is all about, soldier. But that young lady in green dress who just went by you…..well, she asked me to hold this red rose…..and said to me…. If that nice looking soldier ask me out to dinner, then…… I should tell you that she is waiting for you in the restaurant across the street.’

Scripture: I Corinthians 13:13  And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

Prayer: Lord, help me to love others the way you love me. Amen

Pastor John

(513)-867-5411

www.thepresby.org