The loneliest day of the year is reported by many to be Valentine’s Day.  The fact that Valentine’s Day falls on Sunday bears special significance.  People who don’t profess or perhaps just take for granted a relationship with God, family, a significant other, friends and community members feel lonely.  Even if we don't fall in either of these two categories, we are all still susceptible to feelings of loneliness.  On this day, we are forced to examine what actions we should take or not take towards those we hold within the special bond known as love.
 
First of all, we must know what love signifies.  What is the actual meaning of love?  The definition, I suspect, poses the most difficulty.  God is love, a simple and profoundly complex statement at once. (1John 4:8)  God sacrificed himself for us.  Love is self-sacrifice.  Do we dare to do the same for Him and others?
 
Do we fully know God?  No, we don’t.  Nor can we fully know Him. (1 Cor. 13:12)  God reveals Himself by degrees to those that He so favors and chooses.  Let us, likewise, choose to love Him and others.

Creatively finding ways to say “I love you” is a challenge.  As parents, a very special way to demonstrate love toward our children is to organize a treasured book of memories that contain cherished keepsakes that chronicle special moments in our children’s life journey. If your child ever experiences a time of loneliness (and most likely they will), they can reflect on the memories found in the pages to remember just how special they are to God, their family, and community.
 
Often times, there is a lack of positive affirmation in our daily experiences that over time can contribute to lowering of self-esteem in both children and adults.  To prevent this process from occurring, plan special moments daily, weekly, quarterly, and yearly to assure that your child understands their importance in this world.
 
A daily devotional reading, a weekly church and family/social event, a quarterly field trip, and a yearly vacation are all ways to ensure that you and your children are experiencing life in its fullest while making historical legacy memories.  In your self-giving, it is also important to reward yourself at times because you are very special also.
 
To all St. Valentine’s Day detractors, I know to some degree it is a “commercial” holiday.  Truthfully, if something is good...genuine love is very good...there will be a market for it.  What is the price tag for true love?  “If a man would give for love all the wealth of his house, it would be utterly despised” (SS 8:7).
 
The more love you give, the more love you receive in return.  To say that we love is one thing, to make special efforts on behalf of others follows in the footsteps of Jesus, the Divine Lover of our souls.  Don't let His love be unrequited!