My Thoughts on Valentine's Day

Yesterday was Valentine's Day. I know I still need to write about my 2011 resolutions -- I've just been so busy trying to get them all accomplished - ha! I will get to them, but had to jot some thoughts down about love first.

I was contemplating the whole idea of Valentine's Day and I was struck with how it really seems to make more people sad than happy. Maybe it is just where I am in my life right now, but I couldn't help but think of all the people that might be sad because of the day: widows missing their husbands, wives with husbands away to war, single adults who don't have a "Valentine", husbands that are wondering "Did I do enough?", wives who are wondering "Did he do this because he HAS to or because he means it?", and those whose marriage has been torn by divorce who can't help but think about their past "Valentine".

Now don't get me wrong -- I'm sure it is a happy day for many, I just couldn't help but think of the others. I then turned my focus to the One who loves me more than any other. The love God has for me and every other sinner is what I want to celebrate! I thought of how many times I am unloving to Eli because of what he did or didn't do. That is so wrong! God is not like that. I marvel at the thought of God, in all of His holiness, loving me, before I ever loved Him. Looking on me in my sin and disobedience and loving me so much that He sent Jesus to earth to take my punishment. I praise God for a love so unconditional that even as I continue to sin, He promises to forgive me.

So, that's what I celebrated on Valentine's Day. Am I in love with my earthly Valentine - you bet!! Do I love the flowers he gave me -- So MUCH!! But God has used the love we have for each other to show me a little picture of God's love for me -- and that is a love anyone can have whether they have a Valentine, or not!!