Happy Loving!

Happy Valentine's Day Everyone!!!

Today is one of my favorite holidays.  The world is hopeful, compassionate and excited today.  I love seeing people walk around with flowers, chocolates, everything pink and red!  It's such a cute little holiday.

It really makes me sad when people are bitter or angry towards this day of the year.  I think most of these people are afraid of being alone, honestly.

It's all about perspective.

My daddy has been my Valentine every year since I was old enough to remember.  Some of my favorite stuffed animals were Valentine presents from my father.

As I've gotten older and left home, Dad still gives me valentines of sorts, but I have also had to learn how to celebrate Valentine's Day on my own.  This growing process has brought me some beautiful traditions of my own and taught me how to make God my ultimate Valentine.

Tradition #1: I started this in High School and have carried it with me as I've grown older.  From college classrooms to church events to my job at the bar and a restaurant.  I love to buy cheap little kid Valentine cards, (you know the one's that come 32 in a box for about $4.)  These are cheap and cute and they absolutley make everyone's day.  Last year I handed them out to all sorts of customers and coworkers and watched huge smiles and hugs blossom out of everyone.  Several people told me it was their only Valentine they had received that day.  I love this tradition because it reminds me how simple it is to share a little bit of love.

Tradition #2:  I always have a long quiet time and talk with God.  It seems like he always goes above and beyond in a simple, special, unique way to tell me that he loves me on Valentine's Day.  One year it was in the stars on a walk home, another year it was by speaking through music.  You never know with this guy, he's a big thinker!  I also write him a love note of praise, short and simple.

Tradition #3: Is for my future husband.  Every year on this day I buy him a Valentine's card and write a special message in it just for Him.  I then seal it and put it in my box of letters that I will one day give him as a way of saying, "Finally, my love has come, at last!"  Kind of weird, kind of cute...either way, I think it is neat to say I have always had a Valentine's card for him.

There have also been several years where I go above and beyond decorating my apartment, baking cookies and cakes and invite all of my best girl friends over for a red and pink party full of love!  Those are special times too.  If I had been living on my own I would have done that this year.  I forgot to plan it too though...oops!

Perhaps you are single on this lover's day, but you are definitely not alone.  Look around you and find someone to love.  It may not be romantic love necessarily, but there is always something.  <3 

My Valentine's Gift from God :)

My heart was overjoyed yesterday because I received a belated Valentine's present from God! :)

I attend a bible study with a few girls at the dorms on Tuesday nights and we are going through the book of Philippians, one chapter at a time. Last night we studied chapter 2. When discussing what we verse we would meditate on this week, 2 specific verses stood out to me. Verses 14 and 15. This passage promises if we stop complaining and arguing, God will make us pure so we can shine like stars in the universe. :) Just reading it makes me smile! I mean the stars are BEAUTIFUL, and to be able to shine like that..um, wow. That just makes me feel so pretty and special! It should make you feel that way too! But the catch is, in order to shine we must quit complaining and arguing. Ouch. That's the tough part! I have been doing my share of complaining this week over Spanish homework and other things, I guess this was God's sweet way of convicting me.

So I then prayed this back to God and promised to try my hardest this week not to complain, so I can shine like a star! :D After we finished I was walking home thinking about the wonderful passage God had given me, when I realized it was February 15, the day after Valentine's Day. Then I noticed the reference to my verses was 2:14-14 like 2/14 and 2/15 the dates...get it? 2/14 is Valentine's Day! God totally put that together to show me his love for me :) And to top it all off I got to stare at the stars the whole way home and admire their beauty.

So if you hear me complain this week, please confront me. And also consider if this is your Valentine too, or if God might have something different for you. :)

Valentine's Day..

Okay, so I know I promised I would finish talking about lust and tell you Amnon's story...but I am going to have to put that on pause because I simply can't pass up the opportunity to talk about something very important today...VALENTINE'S DAY!!

Now hold on, before you start gettin' all crabby and man-hater on me...give me a chance and read this through.

I know tons of people--including Christians--who look at Valentine's Day as a day where they have the excuse to be cranky, rude, and throw a 24-hour pity party because their single and this holiday is evil!

I can not tell you how horrible that looks to not only nonbelievers, but to other Christians, and the whole world in general. Pity-parties do not fly with me, and I'm most positive they wouldn't fly with God. How do I know this? Well open your eyes and look around, God gave us this beautiful world to live in. He gave us the sun, the moon, a bazillion beautiful stars, the birds, and yet he loves us more intimately than any of those things. But on top of that, he gave us grace. God knows you on a deeper level than any other human can ever connect. He knows places in your heart that your husband won't even discover. He sent his son to die just so you wouldn't have too. His heart aches for you to know him and love him with ALL your heart.

I can take this a step further, you live in America. I don't care how bad your life is, I know you have a home and Internet access somewhere (because you are reading this,) I would be money you have at LEAST one person who loves you and cares about you in your family, and also I bet money you are wearing some nice shoes and clothes. God provided that. We are the wealthiest nation, we have ABUNDANTLY more than the rest of the world, and yet we still complain about wanting more. How in the world do you think God feels about that?

How do you think God feels when we walk around complaining about the day because we don't have a boyfriend and we have to spend this whole stinkin' day alone?! I think God looks down, shakes his head, and wants to say, "You spoiled little brat. Have you not seen all that I have provided for you? Do you not clearly understand that I am enough and that I LOVE YOU? And no, I don't love you the way that ex-boyfriend loved you. I don't love you the way your current boyfriend loves you. I love you more extravagantly that that. I love you with all of creation. I gave my son for you. I love you so much I know every hair on your head and every thought you think. I want you to want me. I have a beautiful plan for us to live this life together. Take it, and appreciate all that I have done for you."

Listen girls, I have spent Valentine's Day alone for 4 years in a row now, and you know what? I love this holiday. (that was not sarcasm.) I admit the first was kinda hard because I had been so used to always having a boyfriend or two on this day, but I got over it. Instead of crying myself to sleep and wishing the worst for all my friends with boyfriends, I celebrate in a different way.

1) My daddy has always said he's my Valentine. So I usually get him a card or make him a gift to show him I love him. :) Ask your Dad to be your Valentine if you two have a good relationship. I think it will help ya'll become closer to each other. Even have a father-daughter date if you want!

2) I LOVE the cute little valentine's cards from elementary school! So I nearly always pick up a box of those to sign and hand out to my closest friends :) everyone loves getting one secretly haha :D

3) This year my church is having a Valentine's Day party so I am celebrating with them. We are playing games and eating a steak dinner together. :) If your church doesn't already do something like this, try setting one up with the youth program, or if your in college--try being the hostess of a dinner for high school students. Btw it's a single's party so its guaranteed no pressure and high fun!

4) If I wasn't going to the church, I would be joining my two best friends in watching Valentine's Day the movie, drinking hot chocolate, and making PINK pancakes!!

5) Dress up cute in pink and red, curl your hair, put on your best make up, and walk around with your curls bouncing and chin high because you are confident that your KING loves you and is ENTHRALLED with your beauty.

Meditate on these today if this is going to be an especially hard day for you:

Psalm 45:11

"The King is enthralled by your beauty; honor him, for he is your lord."

(Check out the rest of Psalms 45 if you want to really feel like a loved princess today. :)

Matthew 22:37-38

"Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and the greatest commandment."

Philippians 4:4

"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: REJOICE!"

(not complain or feel sorry for yourself)

I love you all and if you need someone to talk to today feel free to call me. Use this day to embrace God as your Valentine. He deserves all the attention. MAKE IT a great day! <3