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Last night as I was trying to sleep with the sounds of my C-Pap machine, and Lynne snoring. While the dog was curled up next to my legs and the cat was resting on Lynne, I began to think about the true sense of Valentines day. Often while restlessly trying to sleep, ideas will come into my head that I wished I would have written down, because they tend to disappear when I fully awaken. Well to my amazement my thoughts from the night were still with me this morning, and I wanted to share them with you while they were still fresh in my mind.
Song of Solomon 8:7
Contemporary English Version (CEV)
Love cannot be drowned
by oceans or floods;
it cannot be bought,
no matter what is offered.
As you and I exist in this commercialized, glamorous and glitzy world of Valentines day, what does it truly mean in reality? When we watch commercials we see that love is about the kisses and the happiness and joy in relationship! We see the stories that tell us: "With this gorgeous piece of jewelry she will love you forever"! Well my sleep deprived take on Valentines Day is not to bash the romantic part of Valentines Day, but to rather lift up the real world Valentines Day message of love endurance.
The newness of one's marriage or relationship is often filled with newness in the hugs, kisses and discovery of one another. The newness of relationship and discovery can be counted as infatuation, but is it truly love? What defines love in relationship and marriage?
The true love of Valentines Day is the feeling of love that you feel for that person with the bad breath that you wake up next to every morning. The true love of Valentines Day is defined by not liking the other person at times, but the fact that you never stop loving them. The true love of Valentines Day is through sharing life changing experiences in which the relationship survives. The true Valentines Day is when that other person is holding your hand as you bury a loved one, or with you when the world comes tumbling down around you. The true Valentines Day is when the other person knows that you must love God more than them, if you are going to truly love them correctly.
Yes, Valentines Day is meant to be romantic and emotional in regards to ones relationship with another. But as Valentines Day fades, the relationship must endure, and true love can only be found in its strength in crisis and true emotional distress. Love can endure happiness and pleasure, but it is in times of babies crying, job losses, and financial issues is it truly tested for strength and endurance.
So as I journey in this day of sermon writing with little sleep, may you all have a fantastic Valentines Day. Give cards, kisses, hugs a plenty, but understand that tomorrow is another day and only a true love and relationship that is nurtured will survive until the next Valentines Day. True love takes work and commitment to one another, so remember to hug, kiss and hold while knowing that true love endures in both happiness and sadness, anger and glee. I pray that you lift your Valentine up to God today, and that you allow God to strengthen and guide you to a love that is stronger than Valentines Day.
For Lynne: "We have been through good and bad, glee and sorrow, but I wouldn't trade a minute". Thanks for my two best Valentines presents (Sean and Ben).
Also don't forget her chocolate today!
Pastor Tim
