This coming Sunday is Valentine’s Day. We typically think of this as a time to celebrate romantic love and if we don’t have a spouse or someone special in our lives we may decide that Valentine’s day is not for us. But, before we write this holiday off let’s realize that there are many kinds of love and take the opportunity to celebrate them.
     Choose to celebrate family love. There is nothing sweeter than a Valentine from a child in your life, especially those hand drawn ones. Even if there are no children in your immediate family, choose to celebrate those who have journeyed through life with you.
     Choose to celebrate friends. The old saying goes that you choose your friends, but you are stuck with your family. But, many times the lines are blurred and your friends become family. Think about those friends you grew up with. Maybe it’s time to reconnect. Have you taken time to tell those people from your high school and college years how grateful you are that they were there? What about those people that are always in your corner, your cheering section? Think of others that have taken the time and energy to invest in your life and those that just brighten your day when they are around.
     The most important love that we can celebrate on Valentine’s Day is the love of God. There is an old hymn that says it better than I ever could. The writer in me especially loves the words.

The Love of God

The love of God is greater far
Than tongue or pen can ever tell;
It goes beyond the highest star,
And reaches to the lowest hell;
The guilty pair, bowed down with care,
God gave His Son to win;
His erring child He reconciled,
And pardoned from his sin.
(Refrain)

O love of God, how rich and pure!
How measureless and strong!
It shall forevermore endure
The saints’ and angels’ song.
When years of time shall pass away,
And earthly thrones and kingdoms fall,
When men, who here refuse to pray,
On rocks and hills and mountains call,
God’s love so sure, shall still endure,

All measureless and strong;
Redeeming grace to Adam’s race—
The saints’ and angels’ song.
(Refrain)

Could we with ink the ocean fill,
And were the skies of parchment made,
Were every stalk on earth a quill,
And every man a scribe by trade,
To write the love of God above,
Would drain the ocean dry.
Nor could the scroll contain the whole,
Though stretched from sky to sky.
(Refrain)

“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8) (NIV)