A Heartfelt Valentine’s Day

Friends, my family and I are finally coming out of a 6-week-season of sickness! Pneumonia, bronchitis, fevers, chills and conjunctivitis, you name it, we had it. I can’t even begin to tell you how thankful I am that we have nearly completely emerged from the dark cloud that hovered over us for far too long.

I tell you, I’m a pretty positive person most of the time. I almost always have the ability to see the silver lining in situations, to will myself to choose joy, to smile in spite of my circumstances. However, these last few weeks were so trying, that I found it very difficult to have a positive, joyful attitude.

One of my friends pointed out that when we are unable to walk with joy, God carries us. What a comfort that is. When we are weak, He is strong.

Now that we are out of the doldrums, I feel like I can finally look out around me and begin to be more “others oriented” again. This is a phrase I learned many years ago and it has helped me tremendously in my struggle with selfishness.

I was raised as an only child, which I’m sure contributed to my tendency toward a sometimes selfish and egotistical attitude. God has chiseled away at this over the years and has given me countless opportunities to look outward (instead of inward) and choose the needs of others over my own.

One of those opportunities is Valentine’s day.

When we are making plans for Valentine’s day, we often think of those closest to us, our spouse, our kids or grandkids. But what about others around us? What about our neighbors, co-workers or even the check-out person at the grocery store?

Valentine’s day is such a sweet opportunity (see what I did there? lol) to reach out to others and show them that we care. I mean, just think about how much love we could express with a box of chocolates? 😉 I really believe chocolate should be one of the 5 love languages.

The Bible admonishes us to love one another: ” Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.” (1 John 4:7).

Now, even though we know we are supposed to love others, it’s so easy to make excuses not to express that love, isn’t it? I’m too busy. Money is tight. I wouldn’t even know what to get my co-workers.

What if we made a conscious effort to push those excuses aside, carve out some time and use what we have to bless someone else?

Here are some simple ideas that you could do this week to show love to people around you:

• Make heart-shaped cookies with your kids or grandkids and give them away.
• Make home-made Valentine’s day cards using construction paper, markers, glitter glue, (whatever you have).
• Go to the local donut store and buy some donuts with red and pink sprinkles on them. Wrap them up with a card that says, “I donut know what I’d do without you.”

Last year, I enlisted the help of my 3-year-old and we made some goodies for friends and neighbors (see pictures below).

• Dip some strawberry wafer cookies in melted chocolate and cover with sprinkles. Put them in a jar and tie a cute ribbon around it.
• Make chocolate covered strawberries by melting chocolate chips and a little coconut oil. Once the chocolate has hardened on the strawberries, put them on bamboo skewers and make a bouquet. Wrap them up in parchment paper or cellophane and tie with a red or pink ribbon.

 

What fun activities to do with your kids, grandkids or nieces and nephews and what a great way to help them be others-oriented too.

It doesn’t have to be an extravagant expression, just something to show that you are thinking of the other person – something that shows that you care about them.

Your friends may share with you when circumstances in their lives are difficult, but they may not share with you the full gravity or extent of those circumstances. They also may not share just how deeply they are impacted by them. A little expression of care can go a very long way.

When I think about the extent to which Jesus showed His love for me, cookies, and chocolates are the least I can do for others.

If you’d like to give a non-food gift, try some fun socks with hearts on them. Pinterest is also a great resource for ideas. Whatever you choose to do, I’m sure it will be very meaningful to the recipients of your love.

What are some things you have done for Valentine’s day gifts? I’d love to read your ideas in the comments below.

Let us go be radiant this week by expressing love to others.