valentines day
Valentines Day is a time of celebrating love with your special sweetheart. Show how much you truly care in word and deed on this day. You may not want to stop showing love at that point however.
Many of us look forward to this day and enjoy getting all the goodies our sweetheart brings us--that is, if you have a sweetheart. However, if you do not have one, you may still be able to enjoy the ambiance and spirit of the day by giving and sharing with others, such as with your friends, school mates, peers at work, family members, and church members.
I remember as a kid in school, in that, we had classroom parties every year on this day, where each of us had bags of sweets, party favors, and cards to give each other as a way of sharing that special day with our classmates, and just by letting them know we thought of them as well. It was always fun for me to see my name written out with a sweet little message on a cute little card each student gave me. Those were enjoyable and memorable times for me. Perhaps you too have experienced something similar in remembering this special day.
valentines day: not just for lovers
So they say this day is just for lovers; not true I say. This day is also for those who need to see and feel some kind of love, attention, and even affection in their lives.
There are so many people in the world who have no love in their lives at all. I believe that Valentines Day should be given to them too. As a Christian, you and I must recognize those who may be cast off from society, or who are lonely, homeless, depressed, downtrodden, and who are indeed in need of love and attention from those who would show respect, love, and compassion towards them.
Besides those of your own family and friends, why not give someone else a token of love and appreciation during this Valentines Day, especially to those who may need it most? Do this by spreading the Good News to those who may have never heard it before. God's Word gives us encouragement and daily instruction on how you and I are to spread the word about His love and compassion towards them. Here are a few bible verses which point us to the demonstration of this:
- 1 Peter 1:10 says, "As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God."
- Ephesians 4:32 reminds us, "And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you."
- Colossians 3:12-17 tells us, "Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; forebearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him."
- Galatians 6:2 says to, "Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ."
- John 15:12-13 says, "This is My commandment, that ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."
- 1 John 3:1 tells us, "Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore, the world knoweth us not, because it knew Him not."
- Deuteronomy 16:17 says, "Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the Lord thy God which He hath given thee." Lastly there is,
- 1 John 3:17 which says, "But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother hath need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?"
showing love to others on valentines day
How does one show how much he/she loves the other person? This particular day was chosen as such to demonstrate to those we care about, love, adore, and cherish. Yes, that person could be your better/other half (your spouse, of course), your girlfriend/boyfriend, your neighbors, your siblings, co-workers, boss, church members or others who mean something special and who are significant in your life.
People from all walks of life do special and interesting things for their sweethearts on Valentines Day. These things may depend on a few factors first: (1) your culture (2) your time and availability, (3) the level of love or affection you have for that person, and (4) the amount of money in your pocketbook or bank account.
Here are just a few ideas and suggestions on what you could do to celebrate this fun and special day with your sweetheart, or those with whom you want to share the day with:
- Watching a movie together, either out or in. (love story, comedy, drama and adventure, etc), along with a bowl full of popcorn, sodas or tea, candies, or take your pick!
- Going out for a walk/hike on the beach, along the boardwalk, in the city, or out in the country, or sledding and skiing on the slopes. This can be a fun time to just get out and exercise; get some sunshine (depending on where you live and the temperature outside) relax, sit or lay back, and talk about the day, your lives together, your children, or whatever you wish. Valentines Day should include fun, exciting, and adventurous things to do.
- Dining out or in for a nice, relaxing dinner--for just the two of you. You may want to include soft music and a touch of romance with your dining experience (being married here of course!)
- Giving or receiving gifts of love and romance. This may include things such as Valentines cards, chocolates, flowers, a new outfit, furniture, car, and so on.
- Visiting friends, family, adult children and grandchildren and having a blessed time of love and fellowship, And lastly,
- Renting out a cabin, hotel, plane trip to an exotic island, or going on an overseas cruise ship somewhere with your sweetheart for fun and relaxation time.
In conclusion, think of how you may want to share your time, love, and energy with those you love and have special feelings for during this Valentines Day. The sky's the limit when it comes to generating great ideas in which to spend time for you and your sweetheart.
In addition, ask the Lord how He may want you to exemplify His love and compassion during this holiday as well. It may well be that He has designed His own very special plan in spreading His love to others through you with your service and honor to Him. After all, He is the one who IS love and has therefore demonstrated it by sending Jesus Christ on earth to die for your sins and mine; being raised on the third day, and who now sits on the right hand of God with Him in heaven. How great of a love is that!
This Valentines Day, spread some love to those who are lacking in it, to those who do not know how to love. You could be the driving force that shines the love of Christ into their lonely, loveless lives. Yes, express all the love and attention on those in your life you care for, love, and adore, but then; shed some love on those who have been forgotten as well, and in doing so, you will honor and serve the Lord in the ways that please Him. Happy Valentines Day!
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