Happy Valentine's...everyday!

Genesis 29: 16-20 ‘Now Laban had two daughters; the name of the older was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel. Leah had weak eyes, but Rachel was lovely in form, and beautiful. Jacob was in love with Rachel and said, "I'll work for you seven years in return for your younger daughter Rachel." Laban said, "It's better that I give her to you than to some other man. Stay here with me." So Jacob served seven years to get Rachel, but they seemed like only a few days to him because of his love for her.’

When Jacob saw Rachel, it was love at first sight! He could not take his eyes off her. He proceeded to perform nearly superhuman feats for her benefit in hopes of capturing her heart and eventually, her hand. He agreed to work long and hard for the right to call her his wife. Even when he was tricked into marrying Leah, her older sister, he was willing to work another seven years so that Rachel could become his wife.

Today is the ‘official’ day for romance and love…Valentine’s Day. Today, all across the country, candy, flowers, and gifts are exchanged between loved ones, all in the name of St. Valentine. Ok, my issue is this…why an official day? Don’t get me wrong, I think Valentine’s Day is fun! I get a chance to be romantic AND creative! But come on…if you have a loved one, shouldn’t you be actively looking for ways to be romantic? I’m sure most if not all of you have experienced being in love before. The excitement of the chase…the first embrace…the first kiss. I was on top of the world and everything in the world seemed to align themselves and I frequently found myself walking around with a permanent smile on my face! Over time, this ‘infatuation’ matures and a relationship usually eases into a ‘comfortable’ place. While this is a awesome place to be (being relaxed in and confident in your relationship), NEVER confuse comfortable with complacency! As couples, we need to daily keep our romantic fires stoked. This is what I’m trying to say…romance and love shouldn’t be highlighted just one day a year, we should strive to be romantic…work to be creative every day of the year! Yes, I said work! Keep in mind that as with any type of work, there will come a benefit…a harvest! In Ephesians 5:25 the bible says ‘Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her’. Work is effort and effort requires concentration and sacrifice. Look back to Jacob, he loved Rachel so much that he sacrificed 14 years of his life and those years weren’t spent lounging around waiting for the time to pass, he worked hard! And yet…to Jacob, it only seemed like a few days! Happiness, joy and contentment are just a few of the benefits we will reap for our efforts (making your wife or husband happy will reap you even more!).

Love...love with ALL of your heart! Treat her/him like they are the MOST important person on earth...because they are! Do more than say 'I Love You'…SHOW it! 1 John 3:18 tells us, ‘Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue alone, but with actions and in truth.’ You don’t have to be extravagant, elaborate or even planned…a simple hug…time to sit on the couch without any distractions (no TV, when the kids are in bed) to talk…a back or foot rub…just be creative and your spouse will LOVE it!

I like to do little things for Lisa that she doesn’t expect. Things like doing her dishes…working on a faucet or rubbing her feet (I LOVE her feet!). None of these require a huge amount of time, effort or money, but knowing this will help her and that she will appreciate and love me for doing them, gives me joy! Speaking of Lisa, this is our first Valentine’s Day together as a couple and while we are spending it ‘physically’ apart, our hearts and minds will not be far from each other.

I love you Lisa Marie! With the wedding being just about 4 months away, I want you to know that I am looking forward with excitement and joy to the many, many years filled with being your Valentine…everyday!

Will you be mine? :)

~ V (M.L., M.W & J.E.)