Valentine's Day...February 14...
This day has long been the day when we are "supposed" to show our love for our sweetheart. We shower them with expensive cards, candy, maybe flowers or jewelry. Maybe we go out for a special dinner. Maybe we cook them a special dinner. Maybe, we even get all dressed up for the event. Because, we love them!
I don't have a problem with any of this but my question is...What about the other 364 days of the year? Don't we love them just as much on all of those days? Shouldn't we show them just as much love on those days? Shouldn't we show them how much we love them in small ways EVERY day?
My husband and I used to celebrate Valentine's Day just like everyone else. Flowers for me. Heart shaped chocolate chip cookies for him. Cheesy cards. You know, the same old thing everyone does every year. Then one year, hubby didn't want to participate anymore. He said it was a "Hallmark Holiday." I continued to buy things for him for this "lovers holiday" for several years and then I stopped. It wasn't something I did conscientiously, it just happened.
Does this mean we don't love each other? No! Absolutely not! We show our love in so many other ways EVERY. SINGLE. DAY! From the good-bye kiss he wakes me to give me before he leaves for work to the I love you every time we talk or text. So many different ways.
We have been studying the Spiritual gifts of the Bible at our church and if you look in 1 Cor. 13 you will see what is commonly called by many, The Love Chapter. The gifts are listed there and at the end of that section the verse says "and now these 3 remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is Love!" This verse is not just talking about love between a husband and wife or sweethearts on one day of the year. It is a great deal bigger than that.
We are called to love...Jesus commanded us to love ... our neighbor, our self, our enemy. Love is not something you DO. Love is an action! It's an ongoing event! As our pastor said this past Sunday, I love my wife but I also love pizza! I love my husband but I also love caramel! Love is not a one time thing that you do. So, why would we only share love on a holiday that lasts just one day!
Have you smiled at someone today? That's sharing love! Have you said hello to someone you didn't know? That's sharing love! You get the picture? When is the last time you did something for someone, just because you wanted to? That's love. When is the last time you paid for someone's meal anonymously? That's love too!
We have so many opportunities to share love. Don't just save it for one day of the year! Go out there and love on someone today...and tomorrow...and the next...and the next...
