Valentines

 Isaiah. 54:10

1 John 4:15-17

Luke 9: 23-26

Valentines

On February 14, the business of Valentine's Day is to ardently pursue love interests and warmly renew those already in progress.

Daniel Webster, a 19th century lawyer and statesman, was courting his wife-to-be, Grace Fletcher. One day as he was sitting with her holding skeins of silk thread that needed to be untangled, he suggested, "Grace, we've been engaged in untying knots; let us see if we can tie a knot which will not untie for a lifetime." They stopped right then and tied a random silk knot that would be almost impossible to untie. Afterward, Grace accepted Webster's proposal of marriage.

 
After they passed away, their children found a little box marked "Precious Documents." Among the contents were letters of courtship and a tiny silk knot—one that had never been untied.

As best is known, Valentine, or more properly, Valentinus, was a holy priest in Rome, who, along with Saint Marius and his family, assisted those who were martyred during the persecutions of Claudius II. Although it was a crime to do so, he married Christian couples and gave aid to those being persecuted. He was caught, taken to prison to be forced to recant his faith. Nothing could make him do so. During this time however, Emperor Claudius took a liking to him, and they became friends of a sort. However, Valentinus made a huge error:  He tried to convert Claudius, whereupon Valentinus was condemned to death. He was beaten with clubs, stoned, and then beheaded on February 14, in the year 269.

Much about St. Valentine, and how many St. Valentines there were, remains a mystery.. Whoever he was, Valentine really existed because archaeologists have unearthed a Roman catacomb and an ancient church dedicated to Saint Valentine. In 496 AD Pope Gelasius marked February 14th as a celebration in honor of his martyrdom.

It is said that while awaiting his execution, Valentinus restored the sight of his jailer's blind daughter. Another legend says, on the eve of his death, he penned a farewell note to the jailer's daughter, signing it, "From your Valentine."

He is the Patron Saint of engaged couples, bee keepers, epilepsy, fainting, greetings, happy marriages, love, lovers, plague, travelers, and young people. He is represented in pictures with birds and roses. His name, derived from the word “valens”, means worthy, strong, powerful. From that same root word comes our word” valiant”

I was in Wal-Mart several weeks ago and walked by the card section  as they were putting out all the Valentine’s cards and stuff. There were cards of every size, shape, and color. Some were simple and others ornate. Some were talking cards, or musical. And there was a Valentine for everyone there, not just for the person you love, but for anyone you might think of.  Millions have been purchased and sent or given this week, and will be given yet today and tomorrow.

As I stood there looking at all those cards and the people buying them, to give to family and friends all over the world, the thought occurred to me.  God sends Valentines too. Valentines are messages of love, right? Who loves more than God. And each o f us is God’s beloved.. Every day is Valentine’s day for God, who shows us his love in so many ways every moment of our lives if we but look and listen. Take a breath. Every breath  is a Valentine from God. Every sunrise, every sunset. Every moonlit night, every warm spring day.  Every meal, every walk you take, every hug from a friend,. Every second of our lives is a Valentine’s gift from God.

Here, in this Bible is a collection of the most wonderful Valentines ever written or given. Here are love letters  from God to you and to me - for us to read over and over, to cherish...and find strength...and hope...and the reassurance that we are loved. Even when it may seem the world is against us, we are loved. God’s Valentines are given to you because God loves you more than you can know. If you ever forget that, just pick up your collection of God's Valentines and turn to most anyone of them.

The greatest of all Valentines comes from the very heart of God, overflowing with love, grace, mercy, forgiveness, and life abundant and eternal...You see, God was not satisfied with just words on paper. Instead, God gave us all the best, the sweetest, the most wondrous gift of all: “For God so loved the world that he gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.” (John. 3:16)

As Jesus admonishes us, we must not be ashamed of a relationship with him. Some people are ashamed of themselves and believe God cannot love them. That is not true—God loves each of us regardless of our faults and sins. We must not let our shame prevent us from turning to God and accepting his love.

Unfortunately there are too many who consider themselves Christians who act as though they are ashamed to admit it. They seem ashamed to speak of God’s love, and to often are ashamed to show God’s love by their actions. Sometimes it is dangerous to stand up against injustice, hatred, and prejudice. Sometimes it is difficult to oppose the world’s view of things. Sometimes it’s difficult to proclaim the truth of God’s Love. But that is what St. Valentinus did. And that is what we are called by God to do as well, without shame.

I love Charlie Brown cartoons. There is one where Lucy stands with her arms folded and a resolute expression on her face, while Charlie Brown pleads with her. "Lucy," he says, "you must be more loving. The world needs love. Make this world a better place, Lucy, by loving people.”

“You blockhead Charlie Brown”, said Lucy. “I love the world  It’s people I can’t stand.”

Aren’t you glad doesn’t just love the world as a whole, but loves you as an individual and wants a personal relationship with you? Aren’t you glad God is willing to give you gifts of love, even when we tend to treat his creation badly, and sometimes treat others badly too? Aren’t you glad every day, every moment is Valentine’s day for God, and that you are his Valentine?

How have you extended God’s love to someone else this week?  Your prayers for those four you have pledged to pray for are Valentines.  Your prayers are a way to extend God’s love to those four. The more of God’s love you show others, the more of God’s love you will experience for yourself.

How have you experienced God's love recently?