"Love is just a word...until someone comes along and gives it meaning."

I saw this quote today and at first I just kind of rolled my eyes.

I roll my eyes a lot on Valentine's Day.

I think the idea of Valentine's Day is pretty solid, but it doesn't translate well to reality. I have never had a Valentine so I can't speak from experience, but I can't imagine that the gifts and flowers and dinners mean more today than any other day of the year. If anything, it probably means less because so many people participate in the holiday out of obligation. Or maybe that's my cynicism speaking.

I think the reason I can be cynical about Valentine's Day is because it's a holiday that puts so much emphasis on only one aspect of love: romance. Why don't we have holidays that celebrate other characteristics of love? Compromise Day. Sacrifice Day. You don't see those holidays anywhere. Perhaps I'm jaded because I'm single...who knows. :P

Anyhoo...I could go on all day about Cupid and his special day, but that's not why I'm writing today.

Back to the quote. I rolled my eyes initially because I read it as only a mushy quote for mushy people on a mushy holiday. However, upon a second reading I found it to be a simple, yet profound, statement. And I find it to be a statement that is applicable to everyone.

I am not married, I am not dating anyone. Yet, I have met someone who has given love a meaning that no one could ever come close to. Scripture says that God IS love. It also says that there is no greater love than to lay down one's life for one's friends, something the Jesus himself did for us. I have experienced love in the fullness of what it is because love has shown Himself to me. I wouldn't trade that for 100 Valentine's Days with the man of my dreams!

I have a deep desire for marriage and family, but I know that without Christ, it is meaningless. Knowing Christ now gives me the patience to wait for all He has planned for me. If any encouragement can be taken from this, I hope it's that you can know a true, full, perfect and never-ending love right now. Don't miss what's right here because you're looking for fulfillment in a person. God created us for relationship, but first and foremost, that relationship is with Him.

"Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and everyone that loves is born of God..." ~1 John 4:7