I know Valentine's Day is a day that comes with mixed emotions, some people love celebrating it while others would prefer the day didn't exist. For me, Valentine's day is a fun day to express my love to my loved ones but one that I hold lightly to.
While Stephen and I dated, he was in the Navy and often we were not together for holidays, including Valentine's Day. During the six years he served, we learned to embrace the time we had together whenever we got it. Growing in our relationship this way really taught us to embrace the time we had together, no matter if it was a holiday or not. All these years later, we continue to hold lightly to Valentine's Day.
I share this with you today because sometimes we look to holidays as a time to celebrate our loved ones. Yet the reality is, every day we get together is a gift. If we look to just tell others we love and care for them when holidays tell us to, we are missing opportunities on a regular basis to share our love and appreciation with those we loves.
I was convicted of this a number of years ago regarding gifts. I have very much been a "kids put it on your birthday and Christmas list" type Mom. Yet when I look to God and see He pours His love our way daily, and gives us gifts everyday, it changed my perspective on gift giving. Now don't get me wrong, I don't give my kids gifts every day that come wrapped in paper, but there are many other ways we can give gifts to our loved ones daily as God does to us. Our words, our time and our attention are all gifts we give our loved ones on a regular basis. And yes, here and there, surprising our loved ones with an unexpected gift, even something small like their favorite gum, or taking them for out to lunch, is fun to do.
I share this today as a reminder first, that God loves you. And secondly, to invite you to join me to...
pause. breathe. pray.™
Whatever our view is about Valentine's Day, may we choose to celebrate those we love this week, whether is is with our words, time, attention, or a little gift. May we do this not just because the holiday tells us to, but because we get to spend this week with those we love, and that is worth celebrating every week. And as we celebrate those we love, may we be reminded too of God's great love for us everyday too.
With love and hope,
Shawn
"A new command I give you: Love one another.
As I have loved you, so you must love one another."
- John 13:34