Valentine’s Day: Experiencing Holidays With JesusSample

Something a special family member has always done during Valentine’s week is to look out for widows and those going through deep grief, heartbreak, or divorce. 

Each Valentine’s Day (and most major holidays), this special family member does the sweetest things for widows, the bereaved, and newly divorced family and friends she knows...she gives them the gift of flowers, a small special gift, a Valentine’s Day card, phone call, or a baked treat so they don’t feel all alone. 

Her precious example has encouraged other members of our family to show compassion, too. After my sister’s fiancé suddenly died, my son bought his sweet aunt a dozen red roses, a box of chocolates, and a special Valentine’s Day card so she wouldn’t feel as sad, alone or forgotten.

Maybe this Valentine’s Day, you’re experiencing deep heartache. Perhaps you’ve recently lost a loved one through death, separation, or divorce. Maybe your spouse, or another family member, is indifferent to you or doesn’t treat you like the treasure you are. 

My heart truly hurts for anyone who is hurting this Valentine’s Day.

If you’re hurting, please know Jesus loves you and truly cares! He is there to help you pick up the pieces that shattered your heart and life.

There are so many great opportunities to show love and compassion to those who are grieving or hurting this Valentine’s Day. Let’s commit to being mindful of and sensitive to our family and friends who are experiencing grief, heartache, and loss this time of year.

Ask Jesus who He would like for you to encourage this week. A kind word or thoughtful gesture can make such a big difference in the life of your hurting family members and friends.

Activity: Think of something sweet you can do or an encouraging word you can offer to someone who is hurting. Help them feel the love of Christ through you as you show them love and compassion.

Prayer: “Precious Lord Jesus, please help us to be mindful and compassionate towards our family and friends who are hurting this Valentine’s Day. Give us sweet ideas of how to minister to their heart and help them to not feel forgotten or alone. Thank You for always caring about us during our sad times in life and helping us to never feel alone. You are our Greatest Love, our Strength, the Lover of our soul, our Greatest Treasure — our Ultimate Valentine. May we always rest in, savor, and beautifully appreciate Your great love! Lord, please be with everyone who is hurting—especially those who have recently experienced the death of a loved one or the damage or loss of an important relationship. Wrap Your arms so tightly around them, minister deeply to their heart, and allow them to feel Your loving presence. Please bless each person who is reading this today, too. In Your precious name we pray, Amen.”

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