Like many husbands, I suppose, I put enormous pressure on myself anticipating February 14^th. It’s hard to forget any more. The stores, TV ads, and internet keep us reminded. I put pressure on myself to try to come up with something different, imaginative, creative. The problem is that my brain seldom functions in that mode. So, I resort to the typical three: card, flowers, candy. It seems so trite and contrived. My life partner surely deserves more than the cliched gesture. Like any other holiday or special day, we can justify it as “oh, it’s just another day”, or “every day is Valentine’s Day”. Good luck with that, buddy!

Is it a good thing or a bad thing that we need the prompting of a February 14^th, a Father’s Day, and a Mother’s Day that is set aside, as if that’s the day for that observance? Each of us makes our own decision on that score. Words and messages are important. On these occasions, texting won’t cut it (sorry, Millennials and younger). Even greeting cards fall short of adequately expressing our heart, the depth of our love for our sweet baboo. A hand-written letter is a satisfying expression both for writer and recipient. Now we are getting closer to the connection to how God loves us.  

In worship, we prepare for hearing the Holy Gospel by singing, …”you have the words of eternal life”. They are the words of Peter, spoken in great love for his Master and friend. “In the beginning was the Word”. The Word created. The Word redeems us and makes us holy. Unconditional love is the embodiment of the Word. John 3:16 and so many other verses. The Bible contains the Word of God, Word of Life. I could go on and on, but you get the point. The Bible is God’s love letter, His Valentine card, for us. On this day set aside by our culture (not God’s kingdom), you may be lonely, grieving, not feeling at all like celebrating. It, along with Father’s and Mother’s Days, can elicit pain and anger. Rest assured that the promises of God’s love are for you, and can never be taken away.

Pastor Art