We are approaching the holiday of love. Valentine’s Day is this Monday. What better place to turn than to the love chapter of the Bible, I Corinthians 13? 13 Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love (I Corinthians 13:13).

Let’s celebrate the greatest of the three that last forever. Love.

I am trying to imagine what life would be like without love.

It would be stark. Lonely. Meaningless.

Often we look to humans to provide the love each one of us needs and craves. Sometimes we can be disappointed in how they respond to us.

Valentine’s Day can be full of expectation in how someone responds to the day. I can remember a few Valentine’s Days where I was disappointed that my young husband forgot to remember me.  I remember once when I sent him to the store to pick some needed item, hoping he’d see the many displays throughout the store and remember the special day. He didn’t see them. I was disappointed.

I learned from that experience instead of hoping for one to read my mind, or pay attention to the signs in the store, to just help the guy out and tell him what day it is! Bill was a quick learner and soon, he got the picture and we enjoyed many special days together. Sometimes it was candy and flowers. Other times a special dinner on the town. Sometimes a card with words telling me how much he loved me.

How about you? Are you alone this Valentine’s Day? May I make a suggestion? Here’s a few for you to ponder:

  • write a love letter to your special love—living or now gone.
  • write a love letter to God, thanking Him for the gift of love and His love for you.
  • give a piece (or box) of candy or cake or flowers to a neighbor or friend who seems very alone.
  • If you have the funds, take yourself out for a special dinner—alone or with a friend

Did I give enough suggestions? I’ll bet you can think of some more yourself.

Shakespeare said this:

Love is not love

Which alters when it alteration finds,

Or bends with the remover to remove

O, no! It is an ever-fixed mark,

That looks on tempests and is never shaken.

Sonnet 116, 2

Or best of all, 13 Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love.

Oh, and because my sweet Valentine is here with me, I wish him, my dear Jim, Happy Valentine’s Day!

Everything red!