VALENTINE’S DAY

What are the odds I will receive flowers, candy, or a card on Valentine’s Day.  Hubby and I have been that route and decided we do not need to celebrate with anything except love.  I don’t need candy and a card is set out and then tossed.  We have moved and believe me, that box of cards that you hold dear will not make a move somewhere along the line.  Flowers — Maybe if he reads this blog.  (No dear, you do not have to rush out and get me flowers.  Really, you don’t.  No, I mean it.)

Valentine’s Day, Saint Valentine’s Day, or Feast of Saint Valentine is celebrated February 14.  Originating  as a Christian feast day honoring a martyr named Valentine, it has became a cultural and commercial celebration of romance.  

How many Valentine cards are exchanged just in the United States?  The latest data shows 145 MILLION cards.  145 million!  That is only the tip of the iceberg.  Those cards will infuse $1.4 billion into the economy.  Not everyone sends cards, but they still want to proclaim their love.  Never fear, they have options.     Candy will fly off the shelves at $2.5 billion and restaurants will entertain and feed lovers at $5.4 billion.  In case you might be wanting to make big brownie points, buy a sparkly.  $6.5 billion will be spent on jewelry.

That is a lot of money to say, “I love you.”  

Believe me, we do not spend big bucks on Valentine’s Day, but hubby tells me he loves me in so many ways and not just on one day.  He tells me by his actions.  Years ago he took over vacuuming and doing dishes.  Actions.  He sits on the couch and holds me and we watch TV.  Actions.  He reads my blogs and says it is good.  Actions.  He checks the floor for dropped jigsaw puzzle pieces.  Actions.

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How do we show love to God?  And not just on one day?

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.

‭‭Romans‬ ‭12‬:‭1‬

As a living sacrifice … Living is an action word.  (Taken from Romans 12:9-21). Take action:

Be sincere

Cling to what is good

Love and honor others, live in harmony

Be zealous, joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer, practice hospitality

Bless those who persecute you

Rejoice and mourn with others

And other actions you can look up.

The point is that LOVE is an action word.  Actions that are pleasing to God.

LOVE is an action word.  It does not require candy, flowers, or jewelry.  It requires a simple, honest, “I love you.”

(Honest dear. You do not need to rush out and buy me flowers.  Really.  You do not need to.)