How Do You See Valentine’s Day?

I know some people love Valentine’s Day and some people HATE it! Those who dislike it tell me they don’t like the constant reminder that they are alone and don’t fit into a world of married and/or committed couples. I can understand how they might feel that way. And not just single people. There are married people who either don’t like the pressure to be super loving that Valentine’s Day brings, or they have been disappointed over and over by a spouse who forgets them on this “special” day.

Let’s just get one thing straight…God made EVERY day, including days when you don’t feel loved or don’t feel like you are enough. Psalm 118:24 NLT says “This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.” God made today. God made Valentine’s Day. Don’t let your feelings rob you of a day that God made. God doesn’t make things just for some people and not for others. God doesn’t show favorites. So that means there is something there for everyone. Maybe you just rejoice in the everyday things on that day. A beautiful sunrise or sunset, a friend or family member’s smile, or just knowing that God loves you and has a plan for your life. There is something in every single day to be happy and rejoice about. Find it.

Don’t rely on someone else to make you happy or feel loved. Many years ago I was whining before God because my husband didn’t do anything to make me feel special on my birthday. Now my husband is an awesome guy! He is kind, loving, and very patient. We have a great relationship, and I couldn’t ask for a better partner in this adventure called life. But he isn’t always the best about giving gifts. Especially in our early years when we were struggling financially. So, there I was, feeling sorry for myself because we couldn’t even afford to go out to eat for my birthday. God showed me that I was relying on my husband to feel good about myself. That is dangerous territory, friends! When we rely on anyone or anything else besides God to feel good about ourself, we are always going to fall short of God’s best. He told me that if I would look to Him to feel special and feel loved on my birthday (or any other time), I would be surprised. Wow! He was right! The next year a friend sent me flowers, another friend took me out for lunch, and someone else gave me a special little gift. Plus my husband took me out for supper! God is good and He wants to be the One we look to for our needs, our desires, our wants. He is our loving Father.

Romans 5:5 tells us that God’s love has been shed abroad in our hearts. He has put His love in our hearts. Yes, that is love for others. But it is also love for ourselves. We are not to love ourselves more than we love others, but most women I talk with don’t love themselves enough. There is a healthy balance where you allow God to love you and you allow Him to love others through you. His love is there. We can call on that love anytime. Even on a day when we feel like everyone else has somebody to love them and we do not. Friend, God is there. He loves you MORE than anyone else. If you will let Him show you His love, I promise you He will.

Have you ever heard the old adage, I

f you want a friend, be a friend? It’s true in this case also. Once you go to God and receive His love, then go out and show His love to someone else. Be that light to someone else who might be feeling forgotten and unloved. Choose to take back Valentine’s Day and make it a day to show others how much you and God love them. You will find joy in giving and you will also receive joy and love because you can’t outgive God. If you give His love to others, He will make sure you get the love you need and want.

Happy Valentine’s Day!