Years ago, I dated a very special, beautiful young lady whose name was Joanne. I started dating her at Christmastime, and by the time Valentine’s Day came around, I was in love with her. I took her out on that evening for a special candlelit dinner, and I also gave her a big heart-shaped box of chocolates. She was surprised and very pleased with the big box of chocolates and thanked me for them. I knew she would enjoy them very much. We had a very special, wonderful evening together.
Love always gives; love is not selfish. I was in for a real surprise when I saw Joanne the next time. As soon as I greeted her, she pulled out the big heart-shaped box I had given her the week before. She opened it and offered me one of the chocolates. She had not eaten even one of the chocolates. I asked her why, and she replied, “I had to wait and eat them with you.” I was stunned – I never expected that. So, over the next few weeks, we had one or two chocolates every time we met. True love gives and shares.
After that, Joanne couldn’t throw the beautiful heart-shaped box away; it was special. She still has it today, 30-some years later. And I will add, she has many more heart-shaped boxes that she has saved over the years. Why has she kept them, you ask? Because they, even being empty, speak of my love for her. Love isn’t just for Valentine’s Day; it should be for every day of the year. Although, Valentine’s Day is a wonderful time to express your love in a special way.
Love and commitment are what hold marriages and families together. God is love. God gave His Son for us so that we could have life, and that more abundantly. It is so tragic to see in our world today so many marriages end in divorce. Adults and children are so hurt by this. God never meant this to be.
Think what it would be like if people would choose to walk in love and to bless one another. What would happen between Russia and Ukraine if they did this? The war would end. All the bloodshed, the killing, the destruction would end. What’s lacking in this world today is not money or weapons or prosperity – it’s love. Love is something money can’t buy. The Bible tells us this in Song of Solomon 8:7 KJV: “Many waters cannot quench love, neither can the floods drown it: if a man would give all the substance of his house for love, it would utterly be contemned [despised].”
Sad to say, as this world rejects God, they reject love. Then this world has only one way to go – down. But, we as individuals can choose to go God’s way and walk in His love. The Bible tells us that love overcomes all. I, along with my family, can certainly testify to this. It is so wonderful having a godly home. Love is worth more than all the money and pleasures the world can give.
So this Valentine’s Day, and throughout this year, choose to walk in love. You will be so blessed in doing so, and all those around you will be too. And don’t forget to get your wife that box of chocolates or that bunch of roses. That’s just one small way of showing her that you love and appreciate her.
