Admittedly, I have always been a bit cynical when it comes to Valentine's Day. Honestly considering that I have been single for what seems like light years, probably has not helped the matter.

I tease.. I tease.

However, on the real, when I was younger I would call it VD Day (heh heh). Nowadays I don’t understand why a specific day is needed to show love, when we are called to show it 24/7/365. I guess it goes along with a lot of the other holidays as it is more so a commercial extravaganza in which merchandisers make tons of cheddar (estimated $19 billion in 2016) on yummy treats and novelty memorabilia which proclaims your love for said receiver. History.com has an interesting backstory behind the date (traditions and whatnot) should you care to take a gander. When I see the number $19 billion, I cannot help but imagine on how many people that could help in the world.. hand me $19 billion and I will be like Oprah, except instead of goods I will be giving EVERYSPACE a homeless shelter (lottery goals).

However, let me bring it back to the topic I intended to write on (since I myself participate in the festivities at work, and with family/friends so, you know) … What is love all about?

Well the Bible is pretty clear cut about it, that in order to know love – you must know God (1 John 4:8).

Too often we (as a human nation)  get caught up thinking that LOVE is LUST, which despite what mainstream radio or television may tell you, is NOT the case.

The Bible is so comprehensive it even tells us the characteristics of Love as such:

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
1 Corinthians 13:4-7 NIV

And we can put a big bold underlined, italicized on John 3:16 as the most outstanding act of love ever and forever, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

Should you be lacking more information or motivation about LOVE from the Bible, here are 86 more verses you can entertain in your brain.  But to sum it all up, God is love and true love is awesome, so therefore God is awesome. Seek to be that awesome, each and every day (John 15:12).

P/S

We got out own little taste of awesome love on Sunday with a Valetine’s surprise, thanks to some amazing students at the Lanier Career Academy who made us all cards and candy bags (100% chocolate contents, too). We are all very thankful and grateful for their efforts and thoughts. J