Valentine’s Day Love

I’m probably a little late with this post, but I had to really mull over this one in the deep places of my soul.

My Valentine’s Day Gift to Myself

I face another Valentine’s Day alone, but not lonely. This is the day when we celebrate the romantic type of love (eros in Greek), yet we forget about the greatest love of all (agape in Greek) which we will celebrate in April on Easter Sunday. “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son.”

John 3:16

Love thy neighbor as yourself.

Matthew 22:39

This second commandment that Jesus taught to the masses represents what our entire focus in life should be.

First question: how do I love myself? A very good friend of mine and my wonderful writing coach wrote a book called “Rest in the Storm” where he talks about the ways in which we knowingly and unknowingly project violence on ourselves on a daily basis. We hurry through life to meet other’s expectations and deadlines. We never take a day “off” even if we feel like the next step might land us flat on the ground. We never say “no”.

How do I give myself rest? By following what Jesus Christ did:

  • Connect with God: first each day through scripture reading and prayer; having a bible plan helps keep me consistent
  • Have a plan: Make a to-do list and cross off achievements (doesn’t matter if everything is not completed on the day on which I created the list); it’s not always when you complete the task, but that you complete it
  • Relax and Refresh: Listen to soothing music while I work or go about my daily activities; Jesus was not against napping
  • Invigorate yourself: do some form of exercise to change your focus; yes, I admit I have to force this one most days, but once I start, my mood changes
  • Stay Connected: Pray without ceasing; praying is just having a simple conversation with God and doesn’t mean I have to stop what I’m doing
  • Take stock: In loving myself, how have I been able to love someone else today

When we take time to love ourselves, we learn how to love others. Sometimes, it has to be about self-love, y’all!

“Rest in the Storm” is available on Amazon: Even though this book is directed to clergy and caregivers, I’ve found it to be a welcome resource in finding my peace and “rest”.

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