Valentine’s Day, hmm?

So, it’s February 13, 2013. Tomorrow is the famous Valentine’s Day, synonymous with romance, chocolate, flowers, and dates. I’ve always enjoyed Valentine’s Day. Throughout the years, my dad has brought Sweetheart candies and sometimes cards home for us. He picks the sweetest cards. Unfortunately, Sweethearts have gotten less delicious over the years, and the messages are less meaningful today, in my opinion. I remember “I love you” and “Marry me.” Yet these days I find myself staring at “Call me” and “U” something or other. Most of the fun of Sweethearts is gone for me because of gradual degradation of quality.

In the same way, I’m disappointed by the commercialization and misunderstanding of love. Valentine’s Day is marketed for romance, not love. Nothing that people put out as marketing gimmicks around this time of year reflect true love. Chocolates and flowers, though wonderful, bring romance, not love. I think we’ve lost sight of what love is in this country. Love is sacrificial and patient and thinks of others first. True love follows the example of Jesus. Anything else is just a cheap imitation.

This doesn’t mean romance is bad. It just shouldn’t take the place of love in a relationship. That being said, I don’t have a date tomorrow. As much as I would love to, that’s just not what’s in my future right now. God has other ideas. And He does know best; I can count on that. Instead of dwelling on my singleness (which is actually a gift in many ways!), however, I’m going out for coffee with a few friends. We’re going to make it a girls’ day out, and I’m sure it will be a blast.

I’ve decided that moaning about what I don’t have won’t benefit me in any way. It hinders me from being the person God wants me to be. I have found that being dissatisfied with the place God has me in only brings pain and blocks me from the joy I could be experiencing. I am in a specific stage of life right now, and I should be focusing on how I can bring glory to my Father in Heaven where I am. That’s certainly not an easy lesson, and I unfortunately can’t say I’ve mastered it. But I think I’m getting better. So, no, I probably won’t be experiencing romance and gushy feelings tomorrow with half of the nation. But you know what? That’s okay. I don’t need a guy to make my life complete. I have Jesus, Who cares about me infinitely more than anyone else ever could. I just have to rest in His arms and know that He’ll always bring about the very best for me.