Who’s Valentine are you?
One of my fondest memories growing up was Valentine’s Day at school. We would spend part of everyday making decorations for the classroom, and our desk. Part of those decorations was our ‘mail boxes’, for the Valentine’s we would be receiving from our class mates. These were often made of a tissue box, decorated and colored, or a large paper envelope we made our selves, also colored and decorated. Most of the Valentine cards were hand-made, and a lot of paper doilies and red construction paper was sacrificed for this endeavor. We prayed that the more affluent kids would bring store-bought valentines, with suckers attached!
Getting older, and dating boys started a whole different realm of Valentine’s Day. They would buy beautiful cards spouting undying love, and seal the deal with a chocolate heart. That love lasted until the next school year, when sports or other activities demanded more attention.
As newlyweds we exchanged funny cards, serious cards, and in-between cards. Sometimes, (depending on our financial situation), flowers, and of course the ever-present chocolate offering.
I am blessed to celebrate my 50th Valentine’s Day with my sweetheart. I got a mushy card this year, which did not mention any bodily functions.
Who is your Valentine this year? Is your soul mate gone? Are your grandchildren your object of affection now? Is Valentine’s Day a happy occasion for you? Well here is some good news. You are greatly loved, with a love that doesn’t suffer from distraction, economical ups and downs, or any other variances. You are loved so much that a life was given just for you! Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Did you get the part about NO GREATER LOVE? That is how much God loves you. How much do you love Him? Who is you Valentine?
As parents it is important that our children never doubt our love for them. Even times of discipline, love should be in the forefront, not anger. We also need to read love stories to our children out of the Bible, cementing the knowledge that they are loved beyond all measure, and always will be. We need to encourage them to return that love for God and to communicate that love to Him.
We as authors usually use love as the anchor in our stories. It is a reason for our characters to continue forward in life, and through any struggles, trials and setbacks. The love God has for us can be that motivation in our lives also, to know we are loved, no matter what!
The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.
Jeremiah 31:3
He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.
I John 4:8
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
John 3:16
But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 5:8
Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
I John 4:10
We love him, because he first loved us.
I John 4:19