A New Way to Celebrate Valentine’s Day

Throughout my 40-some years on earth I’ve learned that you are either a Valentine’s Day person or you are not. While I don’t feel like I’m over the top, I do love making people feel special, and Valentine’s Day always feels like a good time to let people know how much I love them. Maybe it’s because there isn’t a very exciting holiday between Christmas and Easter, or maybe it’s because the weather is cold and dreary (at least where I live) – regardless of the reason, February is the perfect time for some heart pancakes and love notes, right?

Are you cringing yet? Stay with me…

As much fun as Valentine’s Day was when we were kids, it seemed to get complicated as we got older. One year Valentine’s Day could be filled with dinner and flowers from someone you are in a loving relationship with and the next year you could find yourself heartbroken. One year you find out you’re expecting a baby and the next year your arms are empty and you’re wondering if you will ever get the family you long for. One year you’re planning the most amazing Galentine’s Day with girlfriends and the next year they all have significant others and you’re the only one who is still single.

Valentine’s Day can be a tricky holiday if we allow our circumstances in life to dictate how it should make us feel; or worse, if we allow our circumstances to define our worth.

No matter where you find yourself on the Valentine’s Day spectrum, I wanted to leave you with a few reminders of what really defines your worth. Whether you love it or hate it; have a partner who goes above and beyond or forgets every year; celebrate with friends or solo – you have a heavenly Father who ADORES you and, while He doesn’t need a Hallmark holiday to tell you, I’m going to use it to remind you! 

Sweet sister in Christ, you…..

Are created in God’s own image: So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. Genesis 1:27

Are known: For you created my inmost being, you knit me together in my mother’s womb. Psalm 139:13

Are chosen: You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit – fruit that will last – and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. John 15:16

Are holy and belonging to God: But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 1 Peter 2:9

Are redeemed and forgiven: In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us. Ephesians 1:7-8a

Are a new creation: Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come. The old has gone, the new is here! 2 Corinthians 5:17

Have received the Holy Spirit: God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. Romans 5:5b

Are a friend of Jesus: I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. John 15:15

Are loved wholly: And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ. Ephesians 3:17b-18

Are a citizen of heaven: But our citizenship is in heaven.  And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ. Philippians 3:20

Are destined to receive good things from the Lord: And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

Cannot be separated from Christ: For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38

While this list barely scratches the surface of who we are in Christ, I hope it helps you to recognize that no matter what happens this silly holiday – you are valued and loved more than any human on this earth could ever attempt to love you. I pray this reminder blesses you this Valentine’s Day (and every day thereafter) as you grow in your relationship with Christ.

Happy Valentine’s Day to you, sweet sister in Christ. May you use this holiday to share the love of Christ with those around you!