I have always had mixed emotions about Valentine’s Day. While I cringe at the commercialism of this day, which is really a day to remember Saint Valentine and his amazing work during a very tragic time in history, I love the idea of a day that marks the love that can be offered in secret or very publicly to people we adore and admire.
My first Valentine’s Day with my [now] husband is marked by a sick girl in bed, and a large stuffed tiger with a bouquet of roses hanging out of it’s mouth mysteriously appearing at her doorstep. A knock on a door. A sick girl crawling out of bed and opening the door, annoyed that no one was there, she looked around and wondered who knocked. Her foot kicked something soft and she was startled to delight by the sweet and funny and awkward gift staring at her. A shy college boy peeked around the corner and he probably didn’t realize just how great he had made that girl’s day. Today that boy and girl awoke to a very normal routine (rush to work, crying baby, spilled milk, dirty dishes in the sink), but that memory is as strong as the day it took place, and the love they share is only deeper because of it.
I read on facebook this morning a friends post: “Happy “love your loved ones all year long” day! That was definitely worth hitting the “like” button today. More than red roses, yummy chocolate cupcakes, or a heart pendant necklace, Valentines Day can be a reminder to cherish the gift of the people who mean something to us. Romantic feelings or not, we are called to love our neighbor, love our enemy, love each other, love another, love ourselves, love the God who made us and calls us His own. Everyday.
T0day can be a day to read [out of context, or not] all our favorite verses on love- and be reminded of the greatest Love of all, the God who doesn’t just have the capacity to love, the ability to love, or the skill to love, but who, in his very being, IS LOVE. God is Love. So if God is love and Valentine’s Day is really a day about love, then I can just say, “Happy God Day”, and I hope you know I love you , and so does God.