It's Valentines Day 2023!
There will be no romantic dinner tonight.
There will be no balloons.
Nor will there be candles, jewelry, or a romantic movie. Instead, my spouse will be spending the evening elsewhere, and I am proud he is.
For many valentines, my husband was working in the hospital. Sometimes I could join him for a quick dinner in the doctor’s lounge. Other times, he didn’t even have time to eat. This year, he will be helping someone we know who has an immediate need.
But when I think of my husband, I think of what Jesus said,
“This is my commandment, that you love one another, even as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do whatever I command you [John 15:12-14, WEB].
My husband understands what love is. Love is being kind, generous, caring, helpful, understanding, and unselfish. As 1 Corinthians 13 says,
Love doesn’t envy. Love doesn’t brag, is not proud, doesn’t behave itself inappropriately, doesn’t seek its own way, is not provoked, takes no account of evil; doesn’t rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things and endures all things [1 Corinthians 13:4-7].
So, my prayer for you this evening is that you find and rest in love tonight. First and foremost, may you have a love of God, no matter what other circumstances you face.
Dear Father,
There is such pressure in society to have the “perfect Valentine’s Day”; to have someone demonstrate some grand, romantic action to them. Father, I pray that You protect anyone from foolishly acting or spending their money. Instead, O Lord, let them discover true love. May they ask Jesus into their lives and find the love of God. May every believer discover the depth of the peace, love, and joy in You. And, Father, may those who genuinely wish to find a life-mate find assurance in You. I ask that you surround them with Your love and give them hope and comfort that You will select a spouse for them—soon!
Amen.
