When you hear the phrase "Happy Valentine's Day" what does it conjure up in your mind? Loneliness? Regret? Happiness? Joy? Many a year as a singleton it can be a dreaded holiday not having found my "true love". In the few relationships I've had I've never celebrated V-day with a special someone. I'm a total romantic at heart. I want the fairy tale romance of being swept off my feet.
Then again, I have.
I am in love.
I am content.
I am happy.
I am joyful.
I hope you are too. Find the love in today at whatever life stage you are in. I have discovered that I'm to love God, myself and others. When I think about my journey with God, all else fades away. I am not thinking about what I don't have but what I do have. I have a lot of love in my life.
This morning I woke up with intentionality - to see, give, and find love today. Not in the romantic way (although I am open to the idea...hint hint!) but in the phileo and agape way. I woke up at 5 AM with conflicting emotions of joy yet sadness. Joy knowing that my life is not my own but a reflection of Christ to others. Sorrow for those who don't yet know how much they are loved unconditionally. Not by a relationship. Not by what someone does for you. Not by having a brand-name limited edition whatchamacallit. By God - and Him alone.
I am learning to love myself. My imperfections. My image. Yet also knowing that my body is a temple and I'm to honor God with it, 1 Cor 6:19-20, I need to not forget that it is okay to take care of myself as long as it's in a healthy way. And ultimately knowing that my confidence comes from God.
Today was wonderful. I lived in the moment.
It started off with a one-on-one meeting with my boss. I let him know that I was thankful for working on his team. I have learned most of what I know about the field I work in through him. He has challenged me in areas of weakness and acknowledged my strengths. He had encouraging words for me saying "I have seen growth in you", referring to my professional development from when I first started till now. Those words were meaningful.
I saw love through my college students. My favorite sight was a group of guys who dressed up all swag in red and black with ties & bow ties - they were fully living into Valentine's Day not fearing the dread of being single. It was a picture of confidence in who they were no matter what season of life. I spontaneously invited students to come meet with me in the commons area for a 2 hr window to chat, get a hand hug (it's a revolution that I'm starting where you high-five with a little extra, you need to experience it yourself in person!), a regular hug and/or to have some chocolate. I wanted to give them love.
Towards the end of my time I got a text from a friend saying "If I happen to be in [your town] where would I find you"? Then she shows up a few minutes later with a pink little gift bag, a sweet encouraging card and a beaded bracelet. I wondered aloud why she was here...she lives about 25 mins away & it's in the opposite direction of where she usually drives...and she specifically came to see me! I wish I could've spent more time with her but I was going to a meeting. Her gesture of intentionality spoke volumes to my heart. She's a friend that I don't see often but has been there through the ups & downs of my relationship statuses. Her and her husband love on me like crazy - last year her hubby told my friend to take me on a V-Day date since he was out-of-town and I had just broken up with my boyfriend of 9 months. Her partner is like a brother that I never had.
I head to my dept meeting and a colleague-friend is the delivery gal for another colleague-friend, handing me a red rose with a paper of an original poem written from God's perspective. I feel overwhelmingly blessed.
Even in the simple things I saw love. From the stranger that opened a door for me. To the colleague-friends that I met up with at a coffee shop. We were each doing our work but the company of another was love in itself. Love doesn't have to involve diamond rings. Love in it's simplest form is caring for another without expectation of anything in return.
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