Guest post by Mindy Black from FamilyLife Canada
When you think of Valentine’s Day does it make you smile or do you get a little overwhelmed by the pressure to make it a big deal? Do you think of restaurants filled with doe-eyed, hand holding couples exchanging poetry and pet names? Are you already planning your very own exclusive pity party complete with chocolate and that bottle of wine you proactively purchased? If so, feel free to invite me, and while you’re at it, consider the following alternative as well…
“Valentine’s Day is about more than simply “romantic” love. It’s about taking the time to let the important people in my life know I appreciate them.”
I’m a single female who’s never been in a relationship on Valentine’s Day but I’m still a big fan of the “Greeting Card Holiday”. Why? you may ask. Because I see it as a great opportunity to be intentional in reminding my friends and family that they are cared for and loved.
To me, Valentine’s Day is about more than simply “romantic” love. It’s about taking the time to let the important people in my life know I appreciate them. This year Valentine’s is a Tuesday, so it’s a little easier to let it pass by unnoticed, but my challenge to you is to step it up in a new way and not let that happen!
“The gift of a love language is a powerful thing. Everyone gives and receives love differently.”
The gift of a love language is a powerful thing. Everyone gives and receives love differently: words of affirmation, acts of service, receiving gifts, quality time or physical touch. It can be fun to see how your friends and family respond if you show them love in their language.
How do those close to you feel most loved? What are their love languages? Take the opportunity this Valentine’s Day to show them how you care in the way they feel most cared about! For some people that could be helping wash dishes, cooking a meal, or completing a task. For others, it is a box of chocolate, handmade card or flowers. For others still, it could be a word of encouragement or spending the evening with them.
There are many creative ways to tell people that you care. Here are just a few suggestions to get you started.
- Plan a Valentine’s card-making party, then go on an adventure to hand them out to strangers.
- Phone or text a friend to let them know you appreciate the role they’ve played in your life.
- Make Valentine’s cookies and put them in your lunchroom at work.
- For long-time friends, find the very first picture you ever took with them, print it off and include it in a card to thank them for the positive impact they’ve had on your life.
- Host a [singles only] fondue and movie or games night.
- Babysit for friends or family who have kids.
- Find a box of the cheesy Valentine’s cards (I’m talking kid’s cards: superheroes, princesses, wonderful puns or dinosaurs who claim “You’re dino-mite!”), and fill them out for friends and family with a simple note to appreciate them.
Download your free dino-mite card.
One year, I took the evening and spent it with God. If you enjoy spending time alone, this can be a great time to worship, pray and read. Give your evening a Valentine’s theme, pray for those who could use more love, read a book or article on God’s love or read through 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 and pray that you exemplify that love to the world.
Valentine’s Day is a wonderful day to show love to those around you, remind them that you care and reach out with encouragement. But that’s not to say that you can’t have a bit of chocolate while you prepare that encouragement!
Make every single moment count.
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