This year, my husband and I are going out for an “un-valentine dinner” the day after Valentine’s Day.
Flash back to the beginning of our marriage...
Husband: “Valentine’s is a made-up, trumped-up, exploitive Hallmark day.”
Wife (that would be me): “If you were just more romantic and loved me more, you wouldn’t feel that way.” (Fight ensues, tears flow, and wedge is built.)
Husband: “Every weekend is Valentine’s for us.”
Wife (that would be me): “You are right! Let’s boycott Valentine’s Day this year and deliberately stay home.” (Laughter ensues and bond is strengthened.)
What in the world happened in the last 10+ years that changed our way of thinking and our pattern of relating?
Simply put, God’s healing!...Following God’s ways, sacrificial love, healing of heart and mind, and believing and living out His truths makes every day Valentine’s Day. If Valentine’s Day is about letting your loved one know that he/she is known, appreciated, loved, and special, then everyday as a Christian can be Valentine’s Day! And, it can be whether you’re married, divorced, single, or widowed. (I do agree now with my husband that it is a trumped-up day, which can make people with no significant other feel very insignificant.) Once we receive God’s amazing, unconditional love for us, then it becomes easy to share that with our loved ones!
By all means, if you feel led, celebrate Valentine’s Day this year (or join us for “Un-Valentine’s Day” if you want), but remember your Maker and Creator sends you His valentines EVERY day of the year! It doesn’t depend on someone else (though that is icing on the cake); it is about you and your Heavenly Lover!
“How beautiful you are, my darling! Oh, how beautiful!” (Song of Songs 1:15)
You are fearfully and wonderfully made and extremely and unconditionally loved. Let Him woo your heart and bask in that love! No one will love you like He does or take better care of your heart! May He give you the grace to receive!
"God loves each of us as if there were only one of us." (St. Augustine)
How about you? What are your feelings about Valentine's Day?