The other day one of my daughters asked me what my husband and I would be doing for Valentine’s Day. I gave her a blank look. Frankly I hadn’t thought about it yet. And even more frankly, we haven’t ever really made a big
deal out of celebrating Valentine’s Day. Which got me thinking about why we don’t and how we could do better. We don’t mostly out of objection for the consumer culture that has arisen around it. Valentine’s Day these days seems to be more about cards and candy and flowers and jewelry than it does about actually showing love. It means going out for a special dinner and giving (and receiving) fancy gifts. All of that is supposed to convey to our beloved how we feel. And guess what? For some people it does just that.
But if you know me, you know my strongest objection to culturally prescribed events such as Valentine’s Day is the sense of obligation that comes with them. We’re left to wonder if all those gifts and flowers were given on February 14th just because of the date on the calendar. So how do we overcome this? By conveying to those we love what we treasure about them. Tell them what makes them special to us – and not just the things they do for us that we appreciate, but what it is about who they are that makes them valuable to us. Whether we speak it aloud, write it in a card, convey it through a hug, or ladle it into a meal – our intentions on Valentine’s Day (and perhaps everyday) should be to think of and communicate to our beloved what a treasure they are to us.
You’ll be amazed at how focusing on the aspect of “treasuring” someone will ramp up your expression of love. After all, Jesus said it Himself (in this case referring to our love of God over material things): “where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21). Treasure God first. Then remember what it is about others that makes you treasure them. You’ll be sure to have your heart in the right place this Valentine’s Day!
