Valentines Day is coming.
Like, in 2 days coming.
Which is fabulous for me because I lllooovvee holidays.
I love any excuse to decorate, make cookies, buy candy & dress up.
Yes, I'm one of those people.
I make surprises for my kids.
I make heart shaped eggs, bacon, pancakes, fruit (you name it. If I can get a cookie cutter around it I'll make it a heart).
It's fun for me.
I know for lots of people tho, Valentines Day is not so fun.
It's pushed as a day for couples & if you aren't part of a couple you feel excluded.
But why?
Why do we buy into the commercialized version & let "them" dictate to us what Valentines Day should be for us?
I am part of a couple but I will be alone on Valentines Day.
Just as I have been alone on Valentines Day for the last 11 years.
The second week in February is always the World Ag Expo in Tulare CA & my husband is always there. It's his job to be there.
Do I pout? Well.. maybe just a little...
But then I make special presents for my kids & heart shaped everything & sometimes I even dye their milk pink...
and I wear pink & red & I force them to wear pink & red & we have fun.
And I don't let the greeting card/restaurant/flower industry suck my joy.
Valentines Day is about LOVE. And it doesn't have to be just romantic love.
We can celebrate family love & friendship love & love for our fellow man.
Tell the naysayer 'them' to take a hike and do something fun & special this Heart day.
I have a friend who is having a formal tea party for the widows in her church. Women who might otherwise spend Valentines Day alone & feeling forgotten.
She sent out invitations & made scones & has fancy linens. The whole 9 yards.
Isn't that a great idea?
So if you are alone this Valentines don't be sad! Take the day back! Wrestle it away from Hallmark & make it your own.
Plan something fun & special with your kids.
Invite a friend to lunch.
Take cookies or cards to a senior center.
Take cookies to your Fire Dept or Police Station.
Buy YOURSELF flowers!
1 John 4:7 says: Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.
and skipping down to verse 11 it finishes up: Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
See that?
Nothing in there about having to be a part of a couple or paying too much money for a mediocre meal at a crowded restaurant.
Just loving one another.
So this Valentines Day be happy! Have fun! And be LOVED!
Forget all the commercialism & hype & take the day to show Christ's love for us to someone else.
Blessings!
