Valentines day: the unimportance of romance.

Okay, I'll admit- romance is very important at certain times in your life. But I do think that we as a younger generation in this time and culture put WAY too much emphasis on it. And it's not even close to the most important kind of love... That said, here's the post for today:


This post was really about my birthday (which was yesterday) but it goes along with the holiday too now that I think about it.

  I was looking forward to my birthday last week and found myself sighing a little with anticipation and delight. And I thought, 'although I love the stuff, the best part of my birthday is the strong reminder of how much I am loved.'
  A girl needs to be reminded of that! And my family is near tops when it comes to loving me but around birthday time... they start layin' it on real thick. It's awesome!

  Love is to our hearts like water to our physical bodies.

  You can't just tell someone, "I love you." and be covered for the rest of your life, just like you can't drink a glass of water and expect to stay hydrated for a year- or even the rest of the afternoon! We all (but I think us girls especially) need to drink love like water to stay emotionally hydrated.
  There's nothing I thrive on more than constant affirmation from people that I trust. When I am convinced of their love, I don't just press on- I dance through my day! Sometimes it just takes a few words...   "Love you!"     "You're pretty amazing"     "You look so good today!"

   But sometimes words just aren't enough. You know when you're having a pretty awful day and when someone says you're awesome, you just don't believe them? A couple of my family members are pretty good at discerning when I am not emotionally capable of believing their words alone. And that's when they bring out the big guns... presents. :)

  Now, I know that sounds horribly materialistic and spoiled little girl-like but hang with me here. It's not necessarily gonna cost money but it does have to cost. Some presents (for lack of a better word) cost time. Some cost effort in being long thought-out. Some cost money or another such sacrifice. But it's the very cost that strikes something in my heart. 

  The cost proves their love in a stronger way. It makes me believe I am loved.

Sometimes words are enough. Sometimes they aren't. God made us with a longing to be loved, wanted, needed and adored. Constantly. Which is why we can be totally overwhelmed by a verse in the bible or a word from the Holy Spirit or a revelation of God's love, then two days later we're fighting depression. There's nothing wrong with us! We just have to keep drinking! 

God not only made us to need His love constantly but to need human love as well. Yes! We need each other. It's the second commandment placed only less than #1. The love of the people around us, family, friends, people we trust, is vital to our thriving. No one thrives on independence. We are all inter-dependent.

  So, I would put to you today (on Valentines and after) these 2 things:

First, don't resent or resist your God-given need to be loved. Let others love you.

(Caution: Be wise about this! It is the love of family that we need- sometimes that means friends who are so close they become like part of your family. Although most of us ladies will end up having boyfriends and/or getting married, it is not this kind of love that is the 2nd commandment. 
  It is quite possible (and easier than you think!) to thrive without the "romantic" type of love. God-love and family-love is the water we cannot survive without.)

Not to say romantic love isn't God-given. It totally is! But don't depend on it entirely. You need God's love. You need family-love.

Second, think about the people who need your love. Family and friends who need to hear you say those words like they need water. And sometimes they might need a little more- something that's gonna cost you. Be generous with your love! Go out of your way, over the top, to show your family and friends that you love them. It's an investment. (And the pay-back is well worth it- I promise!)

Let yourself be loved. And love others well.

Happy Valentines, beautiful girls!

XOLM
John 15:12