Some of you love this week, others dread it. Valentines Day can be depressing if you don’t have a “special someone’. It can be depressing if the someone you have doesn’t seem so “special”. I know some girls (and women) who even get angry on February 14, upset at the love being thrown around because none seems to be tossed their way.

I also know girls (and women) who are so obsessed with “finding love” that they focus only on that, read only about that, make finding love the driving force in their lives. And, sadly, when they do find it, these women often find themselves disappointed. Reality is rarely as great as fantasy. So they break up or divorce and start the cycle again.

I’ve said this before, but it’s worth repeating: The craving we have for love is not wrong. But that craving cannot be fully satisfied by any man. It’s a God-shaped hole that can only be filled by God Himself. 

I’m not diminishing romantic love. It really is great! I’ve been married for almost 24 years, and the love that Dave and I share, the life that we’ve created together, is really special. It’s taken hard work – and will continue to take hard work – but it’s a beautiful thing.

The beauty, though, has come from learning to appreciate Dave for who he is, and not expecting him to meet all my needs. He’s a wonderful man, but he’s not God. And only God can meet all of my needs. When I recognize that, I can be thankful for Dave, appreciative of who he is and how God has made him. But, when I’ve looked to Dave to be “God”, I am annoyed, disappointed, frustrated at his shortcomings.

Those who aren’t married, be careful! Sometimes, in a woman’s desire to be loved, she can choose unwisely. Remember that you already have the greatest love imaginable. And He has GREAT plans for you. Don’t miss out on those plans. Waiting a few years for God’s choice is well worth it!

So even if you don’t have a “Valentine”, ladies, you are still SO loved. God’s love is eternal, amazing, immeasurable. He may not give you a box of chocolates, but His gifts are even sweeter. Rejoice in those gifts, let Him fill those lonely places.

“The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save.  He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.”  Zephaniah 3:17