John 3:16
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
Mark 12:30-31
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these.
This post first appeared on Meditations of My Heart around this time last year, and I thought it timely to revisit it as I have many new followers here. Looking forward to hearing your thoughts and suggestions in the comment section!
Valentine's Day looms on the horizon, seducing us with all its red, pink, white, heart-shaped candy glory and regalia of romantic gifts. For many, Valentine's Day is THE coveted celebration of ultimate, intimate love. Roses, chocolates, candlelight dinners, personal gifts exchanged, and all shared with that special, irreplaceable person of our dreams who has chosen us as a beloved partner.
But for so many others, Valentine's Day heralds sadness, loss and loneliness. A relationship on the rocks. A spouse who succumbed to cancer. Divorce tearing at the fabric of a once-whole heart. People living alone and feeling the pain of isolation, so in need of a loving thought, a caring word.
A heartfelt prayer.
What can you and I do to ease those moments for others who struggle to view Valentine's Day in an optimistic, promising light?
Although this list is by no means exhaustive, here are a few suggestions to brighten someone's Valentine's Day.
- Send e-cards or real cards to friends and family members who may be feeling down and alone. Share your unique thoughts about why they are so special to you, and why you love them.
- Bake cookies or other goodies, and deliver them to your neighbors.
- Buy a pack of "kids' valentines," and pass them out to persons who serve you at your local bank, grocery store, or other retail outlet.
- Surprise co-workers with a small box of candy and a note expressing your thankfulness for them
- Buy a generous supply of carnations (any flower will do), and stand on a busy street corner to pass them out to those who pass by. Might not hurt if you tag the stems with the message, "Jesus loves you!"
- Check with your church to find out who in the congregation might be in need of an extra dose of comfort and encouragement, and follow through according to their needs.
These are just a handful of suggestions to get your creative juices flowing. Yes, my friends, I can see your hearts and minds whirling as you envision ways to make someone's Valentine's Day a special one.
May God bless you in it all as you seek to shine His light and love into this hurting world.
Amen!
~
Did you find any of the suggestions above appealing? Did you come up with more ideas to share God's love with others on this Valentine's Day?
It's great you presented these ideas a week before the day- so folks can actually do something proactive.
ReplyDeleteThat's exactly what I was hoping to accomplish, Roy.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Martha, Thank you for sharing this meaningful post again. You've presented many great ideas for demonstrating love to others on Valentine's Day (and at other times, too)!
ReplyDeleteLove and blessings!
Thanks so much, Kim! I didn't think it would hurt at all to share this again.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Great ideas to express our love for those close to us as well as our neighbors. Thanks for reminding us to think of others :)
ReplyDeleteYou're most welcome, Beckie! Hope you gleaned some good ideas here today.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Thank you for these ideas. Valentine's Day has crept up on me...so I need to get busy if I'm going to do anything. Thank you for the reminder. Great ideas.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Pam! Yes, certain holidays certainly can creep up on us when we least expect them to. I know your plate has been so full these last couple of days, so that is completely understandable, my friend.
DeleteGlad you liked the ideas; let me know if you use any of them.
Love and blessings!
Shared this today as I thought it was such a great reminder for Valentines Day and loved the photo too
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for sharing, Jean! I've been hiding out a bit from Facebook, so didn't see your re-post of this. Just know it's so much appreciated!
DeleteAnd isn't that the perfect photo of Racer? :)
Love and blessings!
Thanks Martha
ReplyDeleteYou are so welcome, Dan, and thanks so much for stopping by today.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Holidays can be so difficult when one's circumstances have changed, such as you mentioned. What a wonderful idea to reach out to those who might feel alone this V-day. A beautifully written post, many hugs to you today!
ReplyDeleteYes, holidays can be so difficult for some folks out there. Sure hope many reading here will act on these suggestions to make someone's day brighter!
DeleteThanks for the hugs!
Love and blessings!
Love that photo! I'm with the folks who let Valentine's pass without much fanfare. It has not been a happy day for me. (My dad died on Valentine's Day, for example.) But I'm not a Valentine's "Scrooge" and I do love the idea of spreading love.
ReplyDeleteThis is a great post to repost every year--full of practical and easy ways to show love.
Happy Valentine's Day, Martha!
Oh, Galen, that must be so tough for you as your father passed on Valentine's Day. And this just underscores how many folks who are out there, unable to enjoy or celebrate at this time of year.
DeleteI'm so glad, though, that you liked the suggestions here, and hope I will repost next year. I probably will, and I'm hoping to hear back from readers who put any of these into practice and how they worked for them.
Love and blessings!
What a lovely prompt, a helpful nudge, Martha. Thanks for freeing us from what's in it for us and refocusing our attention on those around us.
ReplyDeleteThe last thing I need is more chocolate anyway ... well ...
I'm so glad you enjoyed the post, Linda! And Valentine's truly is about the love we give away, not the love we get, or expect to get.
DeleteI don't know though . . . I just might want a chocolate or two!
Love and blessings!