It’s the one day of each year where love, whether it be romantic or committed or both, is thrust onto center stage. It’s there in our faces, no matter how hard we try to ignore it, or sleep the day away…it’s simply still there on our calendars…
It’s a day where we may grieve the loss of loved ones, our singleness, or even poor past choices…
It can be a day where we could feel alone, jealously, anger, bitterness, or resentment…
It can be a day for some where they hide away, or wear a mask, or get drunk and send an inappropriate message…
It can be a day for some to build resilience and face the day while being single in boldness…
It can be a day for single parents to give a gift to their child or children, or single best-friend…
It can be a day for some to pretend their personal relationship is all they hoped for…
It can for some, be a day of healing…
Or it can be a day for some to be overwhelmingly thankful and shower extra attention on their spouse…
And, it can be a mixture of any of these or more…and that’s okay.
Valentine’s Day for me this year has been a real mixture of different emotions, as I’ve reflected, processed, and CHOSEN to love my family.
And while I know we should love those closest to us EVERY DAY, I still choose to acknowledge my nearest and dearest (especially my hubby) each Valentine’s Day because TRUE LOVE isn’t about me.
TRUE LOVE is humble and sacrificial. TRUE LOVE is kind, patient and giving. TRUE LOVE is putting ourselves second, and also being gracious enough to accept it in return.
And without TRUE LOVE, romantic gestures are sadly just superficial and done in vain…
Happy Valentine’s Day everyone, and I hope you know the true love of Jesus, first and foremost – For without Him we have no hope of giving or receiving TRUE LOVE from anyone else because we only love because HE FIRST LOVED US (1 John 4:19).
