For those of us who enjoy celebrating Valentine’s Day, it can be a fun one, for sure! I’m looking forward to the dinner my husband Steve and I will be enjoying together tonight. We both still have to work during the day, but as we reunite tonight, love will be celebrated. And it will be grand, I’m sure. I hope that is true for you.
If you don’t have that type of love going on in your life or marriage right now, there’s a Crosswalk.com article, written by Cindi McMenamin, which might help in some way. I encourage you to prayerfully read it. It’s titled, When Your Heart Longs to Be Loved.
Celebrating Love
Yes, I know, commercialism has done a great job of running this holiday over the top. And it can be argued that it has tainted it a bit. That is, unless you realize that this day of celebrating love gives our economy a boost in the arm. And even more importantly, it redirects our focus on loving one another, as God loves us.
We’re told to “be imitators of God, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God” (Ephesians 5:1-2). And in Colossians 3:14, we’re told, “And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.” It’s a matter of participating with God to show HIS love and the love He shows us to give.
It may or may not be important for you to celebrate your love in “traditional” ways this Valentine’s Day. And that’s ok. Sometimes it can even work best to be creative. We have some ideas you can read in the article, Why We Celebrate Valentine’s Day. Perhaps it will help.
Celebrated Love in a Different Way
“There are more lasting ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day with those you love than with cards and candy. Although technically not a Christian holiday, Valentine’s Day does encourage us to show love to one another. This is something God Himself tells us to do again and again in His Word. Showing love to one another always pleases God.” (Kathy Howard) “Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.” (1 John 3:18)
Last year, my husband and I had planned on going out together for Valentine’s Day. But our grown “kids” and grandkids were staying at our home with us for several weeks. (They live in South Korea.) God laid it upon our hearts to celebrate our love together. We made it a special day of celebrating our married love and also the love we have for our kids and grandkids. It was such a fun day. It’s one that I’ve tucked in my heart in remembrance because they aren’t able to be with us anytime this year.
That night we slipped into our bed to cuddle and then go to sleep. We both remarked on how much fun and what a time of love it was. We laughed together (and still do) over some of the memories our “kids” and grandkids gave us that night. Shared memories, make our relationship all the more unique. No one else would “get it,” as far as the fun memories we can laugh and talk about together.
Our Focus This Year
But this year, although we greatly miss our grown children and grandchildren, we’re redirecting our focus mostly upon each other. We see good in living out the principles outlined in Philippians 4:8-9. In it we’re told, “Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable —if anything is excellent or praiseworthy —think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.”
So, we’re focusing on the loveliness of our love for each other (blocking out the unloveliness right now). And we hope you will (if it’s possible), as well.
If you’re married, on this day and in the future, look for ways to show love. Please don’t neglect finding ways to be kind, and not envious. Work on not being rude —where you’re more polite to strangers than you are to your own marriage partner. Beware of feeding selfism. Guard your heart so you don’t find delight in evil, but rather are able to rejoice in that, which is true and honorable. Protect your spouse in the ways it is healthy. And put your hope in God, who is LOVE, to help you navigate trust issues so you can persevere in your love (and not lack anything, as James 1:4 tells us).
All of that, which is described above is included in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (in case you didn’t know).
Additional Tip
Something not included though… a tip from us, is to not neglect flirting with each other. This is something Steve and I have found is most helpful in growing our love into a Song of Solomon type of romantic relationship. We plan on doing a lot of extra flirting tonight and beyond.
Celebrate your love today, tomorrow and keep on celebrating. Growing in your “faith, hope, and love” are important. But as we’re told, in 1 Corinthians 13, “the greatest of these is love.” Show lavish love to your spouse in extravagant ways! ENJOY!!!
Cindy Wright of Marriage Missions International wrote this blog.
Filed under: Marriage Blog