Happy Valentine's Day!

It's here! It may be with anticipation that you greeted today. It may be with disgust that you wished it would just pass by. But LOVE it or not, it's Valentine's Day!

Please allow me to wish you a Happy Valentine's Day. It may or may not be happy for you and it may or may not come with a reason to celebrate but if you'll give me just a few moments, I'd like to give you something you can claim for this day that celebrates a love we can all believe in.

People everywhere are buying cards, sending flowers, purchasing chocolates and other gifts, and making dinner reservations. The economy will certainly be injected with the mooshy-gooshy feelings that loved ones want to express to one another. And whether or not you're taking part in the buying and sending or receiving and acknowledging, this Valentine tribute is for EVERY ONE OF US.

I'm donning my red today. I've always been a "sucker" for any kind of holiday and celebration (ahem, 5 days and counting until my BIRTHDAY!!!). I'm not sure how the color red was dubbed as the anthem of love. I suppose my best guess is the red blood that flows through the beating heart that represents the center of a person and their affection for another. With that said, it takes me to our purpose for today.

Oh the blood of Jesus!

Oh the blood of Jesus!

Oh the blood of Jesus,

It washes white as snow.

People give to show their love. Today you need to know you are loved - so loved that He gave.

"For God so loved the world, He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him, should not perish but have everlasting life." John 3:16

It is the ultimate expression of love. Whether you are sending and receiving your heartfelt expressions of love, or painfully reminded of your solitude, there is a love that covers each and every heart. Put it under the blood.

Does your heart belong to Jesus? I can't think of any better day to make this vow. I can't think of any better gift than that of eternal salvation. Today is about giving and receiving love. In perfect love, He gave His life so you could receive the gift of eternal life.  

Give Him your heart. Your pain. Your past. Your failure. Your hurt. Your disappointment. Your hopes. Your dreams. Your love.

If you don't hear the words from any person on this earth today, listen for the quiet whisper from your Savior speaking directly to your heart, "I love you." He spoke the words with His life, and ultimately His death. And now He sings them over you, His beloved.

"The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing." Zeph. 3:17

Happy Valentine's Day! May you know the fullness of HIS perfect love - that which never fails.