Valentine’s Day: Experiencing Holidays With JesusSample

One of the greatest gifts of love Jesus has blessed us with – other than Himself – is the gift of family, a church family, and friends.

How awesome is it that Jesus has blessed us with loved ones we can talk to, do fun things with, have meaningful conversations with, extravagantly love, and encourage each other.

If you don’t have family, church family, or friends in your life at the moment (maybe you’ve recently moved, or you’ve gone through a major grief experience, family conflict, etc.), seek to find a church home and ask Jesus to bless you with a loving church family and good friends. Jesus is also able to heal strained or estranged relationships. He is so very faithful! 

I truly believe God created family, church family, and friends to be like an earlier heaven on earth, a soft place to fall when this earth makes you weary. God designed us to also be a part of a church community to enjoy refreshment and fellowship, too.

Think of who offers you love, care, hugs,  loyalty, prayers, and encouragement. What ways can you be a special “Valentine” to them? Is there someone who is always there for you, has helped you through a tough time, or who consistently blesses your life? Perhaps you can send them a Valentine greeting card in the mail (or an online message) to thank them, cook a special meal for them, bake cookies to give to them, or treat them to coffee or brunch.

Last year, two of our kiddos (who were both single) didn’t have a Valentine or any Valentine’s Day plans. My husband had a great idea: the four of us stayed home and made a special Valentine’s Day dinner together. We had such a fun, awesome time.

Family, church family, and friends are truly treasures given to us by Jesus. Thank Him for the special, precious blessings of loved ones today.

Activity: Think of ways you can show extra love to your special family, church family, and friends this Valentine’s week. Making heart shaped Valentine cookies, chocolates, and/or candies to bless loved ones with, hosting a special Valentines dinner or brunch, or sending Valentine’s Day cards to loved ones are just a few ideas. And don’t hold back on words of affirmation and blessings...share with your loved ones how much they matter to you.

We love because He loved us first. Let’s do a great job of honoring Jesus by showing our love to those who mean the most to us this week.

Prayer: “Dearest Jesus, we thank You for Your great plan of blessing us with family, friends, and a church family to do life with. These precious, special loved ones sure do help, encourage, and love us throughout our lives. They make life such a sweet treasure. Sure, we may have conflict with loved ones from time to time, and during those times, help us to heal and always remember to see their God-given value. I pray we never fail to show love, appreciation, and honor to our loved ones. Help us to love them as You love us. Jesus, thank You for being our best Family Member and Friend! We adore, thank, and love you, Lord!! In Your name we pray, Amen.”

This devotional © 2019 by Kim Niles/Grief Bites. All rights reserved. Used by permission.