A Time to Love...

 Happy Valentine's Day! I hope all you wonderful couples are able to spend the day with your "special someone." I pray that you will fall a little more in love with each other every day and that God will richly bless your relationship.
 And I want to wish all my special singles out there a Happy Valentine's as well! 
 I know what you're thinking. I can hear it now: "Crazy girl, doesn't she know what Valentine's Day is all about? Doesn't she realize that this season is all about couples and romance and candy and love?"
 And I get it. Valentine's used to be my LEAST favorite holiday of the year. I'd see all those hearts and balloons go up and I would cringe. And every year at school, I'd watch teachers' faces light up when a special bouquet was delivered by their significant others. Even my first graders would shyly offer a card and a gift for their crush in the class next door.
 And me? I got handful of Valentine cards from six and seven year old boys...and girls.
 No, Valentine's and I did not always get along.
 But, recently, I've come to feel differently about it. Oh, sure, I still wish I had someone special to share it with. But that longing doesn't consume my life anymore. I choose to use this day to show my love to the people around me. That's what it's all about right? (And, no, I'm not talking about the origins of the holiday or any pagan influence to its beginning. I'm referring to the reason most of the Americans I know celebrate it today.)
 So I don't have a Valentine. I still have plenty of people in my life that I love just as deeply. My parents, for instance. They've been together for thirty-six years, and though they are certainly not the most romantic pair, they still show love to each other and their children in many ways. I have my brother and sisters. While I may not buy them a Valentine heart full of chocolates, I still look for ways to express my love.
 I could go on. There's my pastors and church family. My grandmother, uncles, and aunts. Cousins galore! Co-workers, students, Facebook friends, acquaintances, even strangers. The list goes on. My life is filled with people, people that God has place in my life for a reason. Maybe so they can reach out to me. Or so that I can reach out to them.
 And then there's one more. My Friend that sticks closer than a brother. The Lover of my soul. The Fairest of ten thousand. (In case you haven't picked up on it yet, I'm talking about Jesus!) I can honestly say that I have fallen in love with my Lord. I love Him more today than I did a year ago. And He continues to show me over and over again just how much He loves me. Every day. For the rest of my life. And He will never fail me or disappoint me or leave me. It doesn't get any better than that!
 So, I choose to live this day with joy and appreciation. It doesn't matter that I won't be going on a special date or getting chocolate covered strawberries. It's enough to know that my Savior loves me. And that's all that really matters. To say that I'm also loved by family and friends is just icing on the cake! (A heart shaped cake...with pink frosting.)
 So, again I say, Happy Valentine's Day! May it be a blessed one. And may each and every one of us remain steadfast and loved...
                                                                          In His grip!
                                                                          Crystal