Today's Helping of Chicken Soup for the Soul

[Guest guest]

Happy Heart Day

By Jewell

Wednesday was Valentine's Day - the day of the girls' Bible club meeting. As the

club's sponsor, I planned to make " heart day " special. I baked chocolate

cupcakes and decorated them with candy hearts. The girls would trade homemade

valentines. During craft time, we'd sew calico hearts on pink cloth to make a

wall hanging.

I wanted to do more, however. Preteen girls can be critical of their friends.

Valentine's Day was my chance to help them see the good in each other. I decided

the girls would trade valentines of a different sort. Not lacy cards with

printed verses, but spoken valentines - words of appreciation from their hearts.

When I got to class I had second thoughts. While the regular girls chatted and

laughed together, a new girl, , sat hunched at the end of the table. Should

I scrap my Valentine idea? What positive words could say to girls she

didn't know?

I had further doubts when I noticed in class. Three months earlier a dog

had attacked her and tore her left cheek, leaving a large, jagged, red scar on

her flawless complexion. The wound had healed, but the scar ate at 's

confidence. She often covered her left cheek with her hand. She tended to turn

her face and look sideways when speaking to people. Usually a confident girl, I

now saw confusion in her eyes at times. Should I risk someone making a

thoughtless remark about 's scar?

Despite my doubts, I decided to go ahead.

" Valentine's Day is a time to show love and appreciation for our friends, " I

told the girls. " I want you to think of something you appreciate about the girl

next to you and tell her. It will be a spoken valentine. I'll begin. "

I turned to . " I appreciate your faithful attendance in Girls' Club,

. You work to memorize the Bible verses and you have a great attitude. "

thought a moment. She looked at the girl next to her. " You are real

friendly and have a nice smile. "

Without hesitation, e turned to , the new girl. " You seem like a nice

person, someone I'd like to have for my friend. "

The girls' remarks were sincere. The valentine idea was working.

It was 's turn. What will she say to , a girl she hadn't met until

today?

turned to with a glowing smile and said, " You're so pretty! "

" Oh! " gasped. She began to raise her hand to cover her scarred cheek.

Instead, she dropped her hand to her side. 's eyes shone. She straightened

in her chair. Smiling, she turned to give the girl beside her a valentine.

Did see the scar? No doubt she did. But God allowed her to see more. Her

valentine assured that true friends see beyond scars and flaws. With the

heart, they see the heart.