Valentine’s Day is 100%
a Hallmark holiday. My son rolls his
eyes at the attempt of various products to display love on Valentine’s
Day. From heart-shaped marshmallows to
bouquets of flowers, consumers can find thousands of ways to express love for
another.
Why one day of the
year? Why expressed through food? Why save a date night for February 14th?
What if EVERY day were
treated as Valentine’s Day? What if
EVERY day we worked to express the love felt for another? What if. . .?
Growing up, I cannot
remember the words spoken in our home or hugs being shared. I viewed love as work. I understood love as a constant seeking
approval of the other person. If
disappointment came, then the other person would not love me. I worked for years to receive love by
pleasing others.
A crazy cycle began and
continued for years. I worked for
love. If failure to receive, I shamed
myself and worked to ‘fix’ the problem.
If success occurred, I walked in pride and continued to do for the other.
The craziness stopped
when I hit rock bottom. I could not
recognize the one staring back in the mirror.
I transformed Sheree to fit the needs of others in hopes to be loved. I had the process completely wrong and thus hated
myself.
Love is expressing it
to another. Love is embracing one
another daily. Love is placing another’s
needs above your own. Love is serving
one another. Love is spending time with
one another.
Love cannot be used as
an ultimatum. Love cannot be one
sided. Love cannot be spoken void of
expression. Love must be shared.
I married an individual
full of patience. My husband walked
alongside while I learned what love meant and how to experience it. My husband loves wholeheartedly always. He will not hesitate to wrap his arms around
me regardless of outward appearance. He
loves daily.
7 Dear
friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who
loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Whoever
does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9 This
is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the
world that we might live through him. 10 This is
love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an
atoning sacrifice for our sins. John 4:7-10
How do we learn
love? Seek Him Who is Love! We should love everyday just like God. Read His Truths and learn what love in action
looks like. We should love endlessly and
reveal His presence in our lives. We should
provide enough love that when we leave this Earth, others will have enough to
last them until we meet again. The
memories left behind will bring a smile to our loved one’s face.
Love in action: Listen attentively – Offer time – Validate feelings – Encourage daily!
Listen with full attention
given to the speaker. Hone in on every
word to reach an understanding of the other’s thoughts, feelings and
stories.
Offer time in the
schedule to spend next to a loved one.
Show the other how important they stand in your life by giving time. Without a second thought, we fill our
calendar with ‘worldly’ activities or say yes to all positions presented; yet,
we find it hard to give time to loved ones.
Validate the other’s
feelings in a matter even if yours differ.
Each allowed to express feelings, forms a bond, builds trust and begins
a relationship that cannot be broken.
Encourage one another
at every opportunity. Walking in
marriage, parenting, friendship or any other relationship can become
tiring. Encouragement keeps the flame
burning. God asks us to encourage and
pray for one another daily.
It’s MONDAY! Who needs LOVE today?
Live life. . .One Day at a
time!
Sheree Craig
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