Thursday, February 4, 2016

Staring Down Valentine’s Day


 
 

Ah, yes, Valentine’s Day!

Are you seething about it, hiding from it or dreading it yet?

Valentine’s Day is yet another holiday, with added pressure to be in a ridiculous perfect romantic relationship, blessed by some weird cupid.

Great, no pressure.

So, the majority of us out there have mixed/negative feelings about the notorious heart day. We’re possibly staring down and/or devouring some heart shaped candy,
 

 

going crazy trying to capture the “perfect” depiction of the infamous day-
 
 

 

or we’re crying about not being with that perfect someone who will perfect our perfect Valentine’s Day and perfect our lives, in general, while secretly hating happy couples.
 


 

Ah, yes… perfect.

Makes me wanna jump up and down already in a perfect heart shaped circle.

The fact is, this day is a holiday, emphasizing the love theme, yet largely created to sell cards, flowers and candy. I know that’s the wrong, cynical answer to give, especially since I, myself, confess to being a hopeless romantic. But it’s to be a reality check for all of us.

The Truth is, however, we’re already loved by God, as is, right now- and EVERY single day of the year, not just “V Day.” We don’t need to feel like February 14th is our one and only chance, as well as an excuse to engage our sweet tooth in “forbidden” treats. No. Wherever we are now, in life, there are examples of love and good things to celebrate already: family, spouses, friends and pets.


Someone on earth loves you right now; God always loves you.

“The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.”

Jeremiah 31:3

Yes, whenever we feel disappointed, frustrated or depressed, by the commercial pressure to sell us something “heart-y”on this holiday, we need to remember that already God loves us; God “hearts”us.

Whenever we are overwhelmed, tempted and assaulted by perfectionism, in all of its many forms, by unrealistic romantic promises, again, usually by a marketing department somewhere, trying to move product, we need to remember that God loves us.

Whenever we’ve devoured all of the forbidden candy we swore we’d never touch again, making us feel defeated, like failures, lacking some desired trait, that “everyone else” has, we need to remember that God loves us.

Relax… This Valentine’s Day is one day out of the year. It’s one of the countless days you are certainly loved by God. There are plenty more to come for you.

If you have a “Valentine,” if you don’t, you are still beloved, nevertheless! You’re not hopeless; you’re enduring a strategically marketable holiday, pushing merchandise. And most importantly, you’re loved by God- ALL OF THE TIME!!!

“Since you were precious in my sight… I have loved you…”

Isaiah 43:4

God loves you because, to Him, you’re worth loving! Happy Valentine’s Day, everyone!

Copyright © 2016 by Sheryle Cruse

 

 

 

           

 

 

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