Well, Valentine’s Day is here again. Everywhere we look, there are hearts of every size and color. Candy, flowers, jewelry, gifts, and cards are being bought to give on Sunday, Feb. 14, 2016.
For some of us, we are delighted to celebrate a special day dedicated to love. For others of us, this day is absolutely excruciating because we don’t have a significant other. Some of us live alone and wish we were not and this day is just plain irritating. Many of us have accepted where our “lovelife is” and have just moved on with our lives as it is.
Maybe this is the first Valentine’s Day since your spouse died and you just want to pull the covers over your head until February 15. If that is you, I am sorry for your loss and hope you will feel God’s presence and comfort.
When I directed our single parent family ministry, Family Connections, I remember single parents working hard to help their children enjoy Valentines Day by doing activities, making crafts, plus declaring love to each other, extended family members, and even neighbors. They made the most of it even though their hearts may have been heavy.
Let’s take a turn and think about the “conversation hearts” we give to our loved ones. If you could write words you have said in the last couple of weeks on little hearts, would they be words of love or something else? Would your “conversation hearts” reflect a heart for God or self? Joy or anger? Encouragement or putdowns? Guidance or demands?
Maybe our “conversation hearts” have no sweetness in them at all and are just shallow words. Maybe they just dissolve away when we leave the room because there are no actions behind our words.
“A wise man’s heart guides his mouth, and his lips promote instruction. Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.” Proverbs 16:23, 24.
This Valentine’s Day, think about what your words, actions, gifts,and attentive time say to those you love. Are they sweet, loving, kind, compassionate, and caring? What will YOUR “conversation hearts” say to those you care about? Hey! Why don’t you go out and buy a little box of those conversation hearts and spread them around this year?
Happy Valentine’s Day and may God bless you with a meaningful day of love.