I want you to know that you are loved.
February is commonly referred to as “the month of love” where sweethearts shower each other with roses and chocolate. This is great and all, but so often it sets us up for disappointment.
Whether you have a sweetheart at your side or not, the valentine season can be stressful and bittersweet. There always seems to be comparison associated with this holiday. Just think back to our elementary school days when it seemed like a competition to see who would get the most valentines.
But here’s the thing, Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to be a disappointment. It doesn’t have to be a let-down. Valentine’s Day (and everyday) can be the best day ever.
Because you. are. loved.
You are loved by the One who set the stars in the sky and the fish in the sea.
You are loved by the One who makes each sunrise and sunset.
You are loved by the One who sends you flowers in the spring and pumpkins in the fall.
You are loved by the One who died for you.
Never forget that you are loved.
Colossians 3:12 says “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”
In the past when I read this verse, I would circle or underline the virtues I was supposed to clothe myself with. Compassion, kindness, and so on. But one day I read The Fitting Room and in this book Kelli Minter pointed out that it’s because we are chosen by God, loved by God, and made holy by God that we get to put on all those characteristics.
The virtues are like the “uniform” of being a Christian, and it’s because we ALREADY are loved and chosen by God that we get to be patient, kind, and humble. Being kind doesn’t make God love us more {it certainly makes Him happy, don’t get me wrong} but because God loves us we are kind.
His love came before our response.
And when I think about it, yeah that makes perfect sense. The cause has to come before the effect, right?
But in the core of my heart sometimes I forget that God loved me first and I start to believe that I have to earn His love. That if I’m kind to that girl that’s mean to me then God will love me.
That’s a backward belief system. Because God loves me I’m able to be kind to the mean girl. His love empowers my action, my action doesn’t earn His love.
Does that make sense? Have you thought about that before?
So let me say it one more time…
You are loved.
You. Are. Cherished.
You. Are. A daughter of the King. {And last time I checked, that would make you a princess :) }
So, dear friend, don’t ever forget that you are loved.
And don’t forget to live like you are loved.
