I walk out of my room this morning to find hearts all over our door. Our seven-year-old hand penned on them, “I love you”.
She must have remembered the year I smothered love notes everywhere, reminding her just how special she is to us.
The windows sparkle with red, laced hearts. Presents specifically chosen, especially for the girl who last year was in foster care. This year, she is “officially” our daughter.
I woke early to make my four girls heart-shaped pancakes, because love is found in people, not material possessions.
Eyes lock deep relicing a love that has captivited us forever.
This morning was busier than usual. I pack my husband a carefully selected lunch, a Valentine with a written reminder, as well as another with chocolates in it.
My wrinkles, I keep forcing smooth with expensive lotions, while these aged-eyes continually remind me, life is in the crevases not just mountain top living.
Still, no love could be greater than the one winding wildly with my husband of twenty-seven years, six kids and a newly chosen son-in-law added to our family.
I look around at the world’s promises of love; mostly consisting of scanty clothes and temporary pleasures that leave us flat and alone, empty, searching and needy.
The world’s kind of love just keeps says…
“If I just rise and become somebody, I will be worthy, appreciated, wanted and accepted.”
Still, futile attempts leave so many asking, “Why aren’t I love-able to anybody?”
But desperate love is hollow at best. Real love stands, like a rock, unshakeable. It lives, long past any vessel takes its last breath.
Then, I read about Valentine…the 3rd Century Roman Saint, Valentine’s Day originated from.
While the Roman’s of his day conquered their then known world, St. Valentine believed in love so much that he was willing to break the law, marrying Roman soldiers, in secret, through the church.
The Emporer, Claudius II insisted Valentine renounce his faith in Jesus, or face pain and even death, but Valentine refused.
As a result, Valentine was ordered beaten and beheaded.
In jail, waiting his execution, St. Valentine was cared for by the jailkeepers daughter who was blind.
And who knows love is rarely seen with the eyes, anyway? The heart defines love, not any outward observations.
Waiting to be executed, the saint reached his hands through the jailbars, touched the girls eyes and she was instantly and miraculously healed.
Dying, yet saving. Fading, but redeeming. Leaving, while attaining a legacy even death could never kill.
St. Valentine, the day he was scheduled to beheading was February 14th, 269 A.D.
That morning, he 
wrote a note to the jailer’s daughter, and signed it, “From Your Valentine”.
That moment started the beginning of Valentine’s Day as we know it.
On the morning of his heart stopping, the world would soon be reminded of a new kind of love…
Not one of selfish gratification…but instead, one of sacrifical giving and loving surrender.
A Saint would die, give his life, for the sake of a belief that Jesus, who also gave up His life, was worth laying down everything for.
St. Valentine could have lived if he renounced his faith. He would have been let our of jail and could have married the girl who was blind but he gave sight to…
Instead, St. Valentine knew Jesus love was more valuable than life itself.
His love for The One who reigned an Eternal Kingdom would live longer and brighter than that of a women who graced St. Valentine’s in jail.
Real love and the greatest present still today, is sacrificial love; the kind that heals, redeems and gives away a life for the saving of many.
I watch the one I love head to work this morning. I see how He sacrifices so much for these girls that He cares for…
- The one He sanded and painted a boxcar with so she could race just a few days ago.
- The one He got up with in the middle of the night when she could not sleep.
- The other he puts an eye patch on and makes sure she feels beautiful, despite physical malformities strangers stare at when we take her in public.
True love looks past outard appearances, past selfish physical needs or worldly temporary gains.
True love gives up time and attention and even personal comfort, so that others might live easier.
The world needs to know a Jesus who can heal the blindness in us all.
He takes away the sins of the world, so that we might experience freedom, lasting hope and true redemption.
I think about Shakira and JLo, a post going viral as I write this. What is it that is ringing in so many people’s ears as they read it?
That women are more than bodies and appearances, toys and sexual pleasing beings who give and give for another’s temporary gain?
My girls are adored, and I thank their Father for it. They will grow up knowing real love.
And may they remember, this Valentine’s Day….
True love gives, it never just keeps taking. It risks time and comfort and even one’s own life for the sake and benefit of another.
It gives, despite what it can get. It sacrifices so another’s life can be better than their own.
St. Valentine knew the very essence of surrendered, sacrificial love. He knew real love withstands time, pleasures or personal appeal…
He knew a Love that doesn’t fade and stands everlasting, for eternity.
True love remains forever, because He gave….and first loved us.
Aren’t you glad His love is richer, more long-lasting, and deeper than anything this world could ever offer?
“God clearly shows and proves His own love for us, by the fact that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” ~ Romans 5:8 (Amp)
1 Comment
This was just lovely! All of it! So well said.
I awoke this morning to the sound of the printer, and I received the sweetest and funniest homemade card from our son, plus a homemade card and poem from my hubby! I gave my hubby my homemade card and did a homemade treasure hunt for my teen who said, “Thanks for keeping me a kid, mom!” Even my mom still gives us treats! She made all holidays extra special and I try to as well, because it truly is the little things.
I always try to include the “St.” before Valentine, as well. Sad it’s been dropped.