So if any of you have known me for a number of years... you know I have this thing about Valentine's Day. I admit it's not my favorite holiday. Yes... it bugs me that flowers are double the price, yes... it's all the pressure to say and do just the right thing for those you love, yes... it's the work it takes to make all the little cards and the worry that your child didn't bring the best treats to the class. (Yes... I do have incredibly talented friends whose kids are equally talented who make these absolutely gorgeous valentines for their class) Ok... so while those seem like trivial hassles that ultimately go along with a bit of rebellion and some cynicism on my part, I should be able to overcome all that for the ones I love. True and possible!
But... by far the one thing that bothers me the most about this day is the cards. What?!?? Yup... it's not that the sentiments are too sappy nor the challenge to not say the wrong thing to the wrong person. All of this is true... NO! It's really that so much of what is said in a Valentine's Card should never be said to the people in my life. THE PRESSURE!! Not the pressure on me but the pressure on them. Here's some examples:
"You complete me!" No one completes me except Jesus.
"You heal all my hurts with your loving arms." No one heals my hurts except God.
"You always except me for who I am" NOT! Only God can do that...I can be a bit difficult you know.
"Your face lights up whenever you see me..." Really... Have you seen me in the morning?!?
It goes on and on and on. What are we really saying to those we love?? We are really asking them to be our Savior. We are then disappointed when they don't live up to all these silly sentiments. What kind of pressure is that?
Plus, do I really want to put a person in that place in my life. Isn't there the danger that I can make them the object of all my satisfaction and then make them miserable when they don't meet my expectations.
Don't get me wrong. I have bought and purchased a card for my husband. I love him dearly, but I don't want to make him into something he is not suppose to be in my life. I want my perfect Valentine to be my Lord and Savior. He promises an everlasting love, that keeps no record of my mistakes. His face does light up when He sees me. He does complete me. He promises to satisfy ALL my needs. Not only does He promise but He delivers!!!
When I place all my hopes in that perfect love, Christ's love, I have lasting lyrics that can fill me up with a spring of living water. When I place my dreams and longings into His perfect hands, I am never rejected or disappointed. When I do that, I am free. Free then to see the good and wonderful things the other loves in my life are doing. I have perspective and no longer ache with dissatisfaction at what they did or didn't do for me. I no longer have misplaced expectations because my needs are being met by a perfect and wonderful God.
This Valentine's Day let's honor those we love and love the Lord our God with all our heart, with all our soul and with all our mind. Then let's be sure to let those we love know how very glad we are to have them in our lives, seeing their gifts in a new light.
