This is my command: Love each other. John 15:17

Today is a day for lovers to celebrate. We come out with cards and flowers and stuffed animals and every restaurant is packed. That is what Valentines day is isn’t it?

There is very little known about Saint Valentine, and so it might be a little justified in calling Saint Valentines Day a day created by the greeting card company. Of course there is quite a lot we know about Saint Patrick, yet no one questions how we celebrate that holiday, even though I don’t think the man who brought Christianity to Ireland would very much approve of getting drunk in his honor.

I like holidays, I love celebrations, but this one, Saint Valentines Day, can be delicate for those who feel they are alone for it.

I’d like to point out, for all of us, not just singles, a deeper meaning for a day to celebrate love.

God Loves Us, Love Each Other.

Like with giving at Christmas this is not a concept that should be restricted to one day, but that isn’t the point. The point is, lets all show a little more love towards ALL of our loved ones today, just because it’s Valentines Day and we can.

And lets all of us celebrate the source of love and remember Him today. After all, God is love, so a day that celebrates love should celebrate Him.

So spend some time with your most valuable valentine today, and share this valentine with the world.

As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. 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. 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. This is my command: Love each other. John 15:9-16

So go out and love today! Love your Mothers and Fathers and Sisters and Brothers! Love your Friends and your Family, your Children and your Spouse. You are surrounded by your valentines!

Happy Valentines Day!

~Joy Aletheia Stevens

Photo Credit: Happy Valentine’s Day by Beth Kantor    (CC BY 2.0) 

Photo Credit: LOVE spelled out in Cherry M&Ms   by m01229 (CC BY 2.0)