Yesterday was the day of hearts and flowers, of chocolate and red balloons. It is the day that we celebrate love: romantic love, love of friends, love of others.

Not having a significant other on Valentine’s day makes it a little hard, but I want to share some thoughts about love and how we are to love.

No one wants to be left out. NO ONE. No one gets excited about a day when no one says “I love you.” It just doesn’t happen. There are so many ways to say it to everyone you meet. Every day.

1. “I notice your existence.” “I see you.” “I hear you.” All these words say I love you. When you greet someone, do they feel like you are glad to see them? When they talk, do they know you are truly listening. Linda Stone says that we live in a state of “continuous partial attention,” barely lifting our eyes from our devices to acknowledge the others in the room. Oh, how this diminishes the other person. How difficult it is to truly have a conversation. It hampers our ability to create relationship.
2. Check in on those who live alone. The widows and singles need to know someone is thinking of them. So make a phone call – yes, a real phone call – and talk for a few minutes, only to them. You have no idea how it brightens up someone’s day. Isolation can be depressing, and for the older singles, it is not good for them mentally. Let them know they are not forgotten.
3. Love on the kids you know. We’ve been told that they need 10 positive reinforcements a day. Be someone who gives that when you see them. Just tell them how happy you are that they are there (wherever that may be). Play with them – they absolutely love it if someone will take time to play a game or throw a ball. For older kids – take them out for a meal or ice cream – no one will refuse ice cream! Build memories with the neighborhood kids and their parents, too.

Finally, share the best love there is: the Love that came to us through Jesus Christ. When we love God and each other, our joy is complete and we share our joy with others. The world would be so much better if we just loved each other, deliberately and exuberantly.

Valentine’s Day may be over, but loving never is!

It’s snowing. I guess I can say it’s pretty, and white and … but I don’t love snow. I did when I was a kid: sledding, skating, snowmen and snow forts, but snow now makes me feel anxious and claustrophobic. I wish I could love just sitting here watching it. I no longer have to go out in it, drive in it or even shovel. Yet, at the end of each sentence I look out and stare – not for the joy of it, but the fear.

Fear drives us sometimes. Fear immobilizes us. The Bible tells us over and over not to fear. “Be not afraid,” the angels said. “Be anxious for nothing.” So today I am trying my best to follow the command of scripture and put aside my fear and just praise the One who made the snow come today. The One who knows how I feel. The one who “has this.”

What about you? How are you handling your fears? What are some tactics that you use to keep those fears at bay?

Here are some suggestions for a snowy day.

1. Slow down. When the enemy gets in your face. Slow down. Don’t try so hard to look strong when that’s not what your feeling. Slow down and take your Spiritual Temperature. Take a moment, before fear takes over, to give it to God. Be still and remember who He is. He really does have this. Pray until you remember, and give thanks for all He has done for you.
2. Ponder. Like Mary, it may be time to ponder the “why” of your feelings. Journal, read, speak to someone who knows you well. Ponder the events that have lead up to this fear. (For me, it was a serious accident in the snow, and ice dams, and leaks, and 100+ inches of snow.) Peal away each one and look at it. What did God do in the midst of these events? Did you learn something ? Did you gain more faith? Did it change someone’s life? Yours?
3. Rejoice and be thankful. We have so much to be thankful for, so many reasons to praise. Just start rejoicing. As Paul says, “Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say ‘rejoice.’” When fear is triggered, rejoice. When doubts assail, rejoice. When you can’t see your way, rejoice. Believe me, He is not finished with you yet. Rejoice and be exceeding glad!

Now get on with it. It might be snowing but there is plenty to do. Me – I have a list a mile long and I’m getting to it now.

Blessings,

Janet