But the thing is—sometimes I forget about the uncertainty of life, and I take for granted those little moments we get to experience with the ones we love. Maybe Valentine's Day is just a silly holiday created by greeting card companies and the restaurant industry to make women feel secure about their love relationships. But even still, why not take advantage of a designated day to show your love for someone? Why not take advantage of every day?
Redeeming the time. That’s what Ephesians 5:15-16 says. How can we make the most of each day? More importantly, how can we make the most out of every relationship? Every day is a gift, and I get to walk through life with the greatest gift God gave me - my husband.
Howell is the most incredible husband to me. I know our marriage is a rare gift, and I know that God has shown us favor, despite our imperfections. Few husbands help put up Christmas decorations and clean the house on Saturday afternoon, when they could be watching football or basketball. Few husbands load the dishwasher and remember to unload it a few hours later. Few husbands never grumble about taking out the trash, putting up the laundry, or going to the grocery store. And few husbands are both as strong and as tender as Howell is.
He really is amazing, and our love really is one of those once-in-a-lifetime kind of loves.
Not sure how to connect with your loved one this Valentine’s? Here are FIVE meaningful ways you can connect to someone you love:
1. Write a note or a letter. Whether you consider yourself a writer, whether you think you can be sentimental or romantic—it doesn’t matter. If you can’t think of anything to say, start with “I love you because…” or “I love when…”
2. Make a special dinner. Dinner is especially special when you’re not the one who usually cooks. You don’t have to go out for a fancy meal to switch things up a little. Fire up the grill. Look up a recipe online. And if all else fails—get take out.
3. Do something out of the ordinary. If you never make the bed, if you never do the dishes—go out of your way to be intentional in serving your loved one. It could be as simple as breakfast in bed—or coffee on the nightstand when he or she wakes up.
4. Give a long kiss or hug. Don’t be too rushed (on Valentine’s Day or ever) to give a hello or goodbye kiss. Affection is free and priceless.
5. Buy a meaningful gift. Not everyone’s love language is gifts, so spending the “big bucks” on a Valentine’s Day gift may not even minister to your loved one’s heart. But if you’re loved one is a gifts person, then buy him or her a gift that means something. (And you can check out these financial tools from Personal Capital to see how much you can spend without worrying!)
Maybe Valentine’s Day is a silly holiday, but you can take advantage of this day to love the one you're with. Value your time together. Connect to the other person’s love language. Be grateful for the moments you share.
Movies like The Vow make me mindful of every moment we get together, every second we have in this lifetime. I don't want to waste time with petty arguments or even unimportant and misplaced priorities. Instead, I want to be grateful, to take notice, and to make memories. I want to remember the days we have together. I prayed last night, as I often do, that Howell and I would share a lifetime together, that God would extend our days and give us a long-lasting marriage, an extraordinary marriage.
What can you do this weekend to redeem the time you share with your loved ones?
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