Valentine’s Day is upon us. Everywhere we look, we see balloons that say “Be Mine,” or candied hearts with “Hugs” engraved on them. It is enough to make a person feel less than “hugged” if she or he doesn’t have a significant other. When I was a teacher as a single mother, it seemed that all the faculty had a bouquet of roses waiting in the office for them except me. It was a stinger.
Then I thought, Hey, this doesn’t have to bite! As a follower of Christ, I have the most faithful, attentive, romantic significant other ever: Jesus, the one who talks to me in my car through my Christian music as I’m dropping the kids off at school, the one who loves me more than any earthly man ever could, the one who promises me a future and a hope. It’s Jesus – MY sweetheart, My eternal husband, My soul mate.
Friend, this Valentine’s Day can be the most memorable day of the entire year! It’s possible to have so much joy that our little hearts just can’t contain it. The Bible says that Jesus is ALIVE in heaven, interceding on our behalf. He is preparing a place for us. I would imagine that on Valentine’s Day, He takes a minute to just gaze more intently at His Valentines, His followers that desire to know Him more intimately. I wonder what He’s dying to tell us. I wonder if He wishes we would be still long enough to hear His words of adoration. I wonder if you and I would draw near and just give Him a chance to get a few thoughts off His chest. He’s waiting.
Are we ready to hear? Are we willing to believe? Are we prepared to let the one who loves us more than anything else in the world lavish His love on us?
Shhhh. Listen. Receive. Drink it in:
- Precious one, you might not know me, but I know you like none other. Psalm 139:2
- I am your most beloved companion. Psalm 119:63
- It is my desire to overwhelm you in my love. 1 John 3:1
- I chose you when I planned creation. Ephesians 1:11-12
- Nothing you have even done can separate you from my love. Romans 8:38-39
- You are not a mistake. Psalm 139:15-16
- I am healing all wounds and brokenness of heart. Psalm 147:3
- I will never stop doing good for you. Jeremiah 32:40
- I will never, no never, leave you nor forsake you. Hebrews 13:5
- You are my treasured possession. No one loves you like me. Exodus 19:5
Can you feel His lavish love? So go ahead. Do something outrageous and incredibly silly. Buy yourself a bundle of flowers from Jesus and smell the fragrance of His affection. Embrace His courtship and gentle wooing. Purchase your own sack of candied hearts. Go through them heart-by-heart and chuckle at His charming personality:
- Tweet Me.
- You and Me.
- Mad about you.
- Marry Me.
Marry ME? Oh, yes, one day He actually WILL!
Let us celebrate, let us rejoice, let us give Him glory! For the Marriage of the Lamb has come; his Wife has made herself ready. She was given a bridal gown of bright and shining linen. Revelation 19:7-9
Pam Kanaly, selected as National Mother of Achievement – 2015 - in Washington, DC, and best-selling author of The Single Mom and Her Rollercoaster Emotions, remains one of the nation’s leading advocates for single mothers. She is the co-founder of the national organization Arise Ministries bringing encouragement to single mothers worldwide through their online education center: EQUIP. Pam is a favorite in Oklahoma having been nominated by the Governor for Oklahoma Mother of Achievement – 2015. Pam and her husband Rich reside in Edmond, Oklahoma. ariseministries.net
Publication date: February 4, 2016