Valentine’s Day is not my favorite holiday. Never has been. It seems to bring a lot of expectation without much delivery. I mean, the colors are perfect. Pink and red are my favorites. But honestly that’s about it. The season’s all wrong, the candy’s not that great, and it’s quite exculsive – a snob-holiday, if you will.
The Valentine’s Day inner-circle says that unless you’re dating someone or married you’re not invited to the party – no Valentine’s Day for you. Just turn on the T.V. or walk through the mall. Everyone is trying to sell you something to make your night more romantic.
As a single woman I was not a part of the Valentine’s Day inner-circle. Except for the year I was engaged, I can’t remember having a date on Valentine’s Day. The only cards and candy I received were from my first graders whom I taught. And maybe my mom.
That is until I had an ephiphany of sorts. One year I got somewhat angry that life seemed to start when you get a boyfriend or get married. I was tired of living a life waiting for the next best thing. I mean, there’s enough hard times in life without having the pink and red taken away too. Since I couldn’t just join the Valentine’s Day inner-circle on my own, I decided to make my own. And I hosted a girls-only party.
Singleness is hard. I have gone through difficult seasons since, but as a whole, singleness was most difficult for me. However, I am convinced that it didn’t have to be. There are going to be difficult days no matter what season of life we’re in. But it’s how we respond to those difficult days that either brings us life or takes us under. Many years I allowed singleness to take me under – except for the year I hosted my own party.
The Valentine’s Day girls-only party I hosted that year was somewhat of a proclomation to the enemy saying, “I may not have a boyfriend or husband, but you’re not going to take away the joy available in my life.” I was fighting back – reclaiming the blessings God gives us – even the blessing of Valentine’s Day.
Friends, sometimes our experiences come down to a choice. Will I respond with anger, resentment, jealousy, pity, and coveteousness? Or will I respond by receiving the blessing available to me if I stay focused on Jesus?
Valentine’s Day, as silly and commercialized as it might be, is an opportunity for blessing. It’s an opportunity to open the doors of your heart and instead of looking inward at all that’s not right in your life, look outward at who’s around you. Then it’s an opportunity to open the doors of your home and invite those people in.
Maybe it’s your other single girlfriends, but maybe not. Maybe it’s the woman whose husband’s deployed. Maybe it’s the one whose husband’s away for his job. Maybe it’s the one who’s separated. Maybe it’s the widow. Maybe it’s an older lady who lives alone. Maybe it’s a teenager girl you’re called to mentor – or lots of teenager girls you’re called to mentor!
After all, isn’t that what true love really is? “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13). When you step out of your comfort zone and invite someone over – when what you really want to do is climb back into bed with a half-gallon of ice cream – you are laying down your life for your friend. A friend who needs you. And a friend who you need. Because, you see, when your life is filled with the things of Jesus – relationships, community, sacrifice, love – the blessing becomes yours.
This Friday is Valentine’s Day. I want to encourage you to not sit at home alone. Don’t wait to be invited to the Valentine’s Day inner-circle through delivered flowers or a ring. Make your own inner-circle and claim the blessing of joy that is available through this day. God is in each and every detail.
Here are a few other posts on Valentine’s Day and hospitality. And I’d love to know what you’re doing! Pleasae share with me in the comments!
Love in Action :: Hospitality in Your Season
Fall in Love with Your Life {and Plan a Party}
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