Love Lavishly

We didn't hate celebrating our love--who does?! We just felt we didn't need a holiday pressuring us to do that! We agreed it was a day so many people feel less than loved, feel a lack in themselves rather than feel their value confirmed. We wanted to be a different voice on the culturally celebrated day of love. So we made a decision all those years ago, when we were just starting our family, to make Valentine's Day a day of lavishing others with love. We gathered flowers, a few special chocolates and a note of kindness and we made a date with a couple different widows, some of them newly widowed. They most often wanted to welcome us into their homes, so we'd gather our gifts and make ourselves at home with them by enjoying simple, meaningful conversation. 

Older people completely delight in children, so as our family grew, these times became even more fun as the kids became part of the loving. Making cards, offering hugs, bringing laughter with silly antics -- these times became quite special for all of us.

I don't share this so you think anything special of our family -- were are nothing more than a mess of people with a heart to follow Jesus! Maybe you just need an idea! We haven't made these Valentine's dates happen every year -- life does throw those curves. And the kids haven't always been eager to be involved -- especially as they got older. But without fail, when we have become intentional to lavish love on others, we always walk away feeling more loved than we brought love to the door. I think that's God's way. Time spent loving people always ends up encompassing the ones loving as well.

If you don't already have special plans this Valentine's Day, maybe consider the activity with those in your home of coming together to lavish someone else with love! In the loving, you are building up their hope as well! We all need this.

Is it a date, then?