This time of year, you can’t turn on the TV or look at a newspaper without seeing ads telling us what we need to do for Valentine’s Day to show people how much we love them.
Usually these involve spending a great deal of money, stressing that if you really care about the person, then you’ll spend lots of money showing them just how much.
It’s great to be able to show the people around us that we love them, but buying jewelry or flowers and focusing on one specific day aren’t necessary.
Some people find Valentine’s Day depressing. maybe they are alone or feel stuck in an unhappy relationship.
But it doesn’t have to be that way.
We all have many different significant relationships in our lives.
Our relationships can be happy and healthy but still have struggles. It’s how we deal with those struggles which affect our relationships that either makes or breaks them.
Anger and bitterness create walls and cause a lack of vulnerability, which ultimately breaks down our relationships.
Taking the time on a regular basis to show or tell our loved ones how we feel about them makes the bond between us stronger. I can disagree with someone I love without ending the relationship if we know our relationship is solid.
My husband and I have determined that no matter what our marriage is, ‘till death do us part’. Does that mean that it’s perfect? No, but it means that we won’t give up on each other even when things are tough.
My children know that no matter what, I will always be there for them. That doesn’t mean they’re always perfect, but they know they have a safe place where they are loved and accepted and corrected, when need be.
I have made it a practice to tell my children every day that I love them. I never want them to be uncertain of where they stand with me.
We have a Heavenly Father who loves us. He loves us in a way that cost Him everything. He sent His only Son Jesus to die on the cross for us, to take the punishment that we deserve, so that our sin wouldn’t keep us separated from God.
When we know Jesus as our Saviour, it doesn’t mean that life is perfect, that we no longer have difficulties and struggles. But it does mean that we have Someone who loves us unconditionally, is always there for us and corrects us when we need it.
If you don’t know about His love for you, why not read His love letter to you, the Bible.
If you want to tell someone you love them, don’t wait for a special occasion. Life is too short, too much is unexpected. Tell them today.
May this be your best Valentine’s Day.
Rev. Colleen Shearing is co-senior pastor at High Way Church.
