Yet another Valentines Day has snuck up on us. I have mixed feelings about this holiday. On the one side, I am a little disappointed with all the marketing that is being done about this day, that is supposed to be about love. Instead, it has been imprinted in us that we are supposed to give and receive gifts, flowers, candy, jewelry and expensive dinners. There is so much pressure on everyone to make something happen, organize a date, spend money etc. And if you don’t have a date, you feel especially pathetic because everyone can see that you are alone. In that sense, I think that Valentines Day is overrated.
On the other hand, I wish I would have been asked by someone to spend a romantic day together. This unmet wish inevitably goes back to guys who do not take an initiative. It might be an old-fashioned way of looking at the situation, but I believe a man should be able to pick up his phone, call a woman, and sincerely ask her if she wants to go out for dinner with him. Technology has changed the way we are in relationships with one another and while it is convenient and exciting at times to flirt via chat or text, it by no means is a real way to get to know each other. What happened to a guy being a gentleman and asking a woman out?? It is making me tired thinking of the compliments I get from guys and yet NOT ONE has asked me out for V-Day! Why? Are you intimidated? Shy? Or do you assume that I already have a date?
When has dating become so much pressure? Shouldn’t it be simply about two people meeting up and spending time together so that they can get to know each other better? It should be easy. If you feel a connection, then you can find time to meet. So how should I react when one finally says he has time to spend with me but then cancels just a few hours later because something at work came up that will need immediate attention and will last the duration of the weekend? I get it. If you want to be successful in your professional life, you might have to cut back on your personal pleasures. And so I can’t blame a guy for wanting to spend Valentines Day working. But how does he expect I react to that if I haven’t seen him in two weeks and he keeps giving me the feeling that he wants to see me too. I don’t think he’s lying, I truly believe he has a lot going on and that he really does feel bad for not having time for me. But do I have to deal with it and keep wondering when the next time is he will blow me off? This goes back to women being needy. Or does it? Women just aren’t designed to not care. We care about the people we are in relationships with and when our love language is to spend quality time with people, it is particularly difficult not to see someone. So it is a conflict of interest when you want to please someone’s personal preferences even if your relationship isn’t going anywhere by doing so.
Now I am thinking, what is God’s purpose in all of this? What is the lesson we (or I, really) should learn here? Today, on Valentines Day, a day of love, I am reminded of the love that God has for me. He has taught us how to love one another and we should practice this love every day and in every relationship that we are in.
Romans 12:9-21
9Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
14Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.[a] Do not be conceited.
17Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. 18If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay,"[b]says the Lord. 20On the contrary:
"If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head."[c] 21Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good
Ephesians 4:25-32
25Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body. 26"In your anger do not sin"[a]: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27and do not give the devil a foothold. 28He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need.
29Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
At the end of the day, I will let little baby Cupid do his thing. I mean, he is an angel of God and if He so desires, I will get shot by one of Cupid’s love-tipped arrows :-)