Valentine's Day, that Hallmark holiday celebrating everything that is pink and red, candy hearts, and gifts that show your love interest just how much you love them, is right around the corner, literally. It's the favorite holiday of those who are in a relationship, and the most despised by those who aren't. It also takes away from what love really is.
Who says that on this holiday that comes around once a year, it's only enjoyable if we have a boyfriend or girlfriend, husband or wife to share it with, or its only enjoyable if we get flowers, gifts, and dozens of cards. See that mindset makes love materialistic, and it also leaves out the enjoyment we should get from God's love, the only love that is really true. On Valentine's Day, we tend to feel the most loved by the most gifts that we receive, and by being in a relationship and therefore having a special date planned. And if we don't have these things, seeing them in the other's around us tends to fill us with anger and jealousy. God doesn't even seem to come into the picture, even to the Christian. Now that's definitely a problem.
You know what, God is Love. And although we should acknowledge that on every day of the year, you would think that on this day celebrating love, we should probably think about God's love. God's love is the greatest love that there is. It is the most true, it is the most lasting, it is the most beautiful. And it's there and available for everyone. We shouldn't overlook this. I've heard the phrase "I hate Valentine's Day because I don't have someone to love" or "Nobody loves me". That is a huge false statement right there, because we can definitely love God for all that He has done for us, and He definitely loves us back more than anything, more than we really deserve. So don't forget about the One who never forgets us.
I don't think Valentine's Day is evil, I just think it has gone astray from what it probably really meant. It's good to show love to your spouse or boyfriend/girlfriend, or romantic interest, but remember that gifts aren't really true signs of love. Also remember, that other people can be shown love on this day,and love comes from other places and in other forms. Remember that God loves us as well! Let's love everyone this year, real true love, not the "love" that comes from giving a gift, but true love. And let's not stop with just Valentine's Day, lets love people all year round.
Those that have dates, a special person to share the day with, expecting the arrival of magnificent gifts, thats great, enjoy them! But spread your love out to others, and give praises to God for the love that He shows you as well. And those that are dreading tomorrow, don't. Treat it as another day of the year, and love those around you and give praises to God for the love that He shows you.
I don't have a date this year, I've never had one. Never gotten the opportunity to share this day with a wonderful boyfriend. But that's okay, and I still love Valentine's Day. Because I get the chance to especially love on my friends and family, and this time of year, they seem to really need someone to lean on, support them, love them. So I'm honored to be able to do that. Even if candy and stuffed animals aren't involved. I'm excited to spread the love. And I'm even more excited to give praises to God, because I know that God loves me so much, much more than I deserve!
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16
30 "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' 31 The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these." Mark 12:30-31
35 "But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked." Luke 6:35
8 "Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins" 1 Peter 4:8
7" Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God." 1 John 4:7
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