"Life without love is unbearable." A reflection on Valentine's Day

[NathanATX]

{from my blog on myspace... http://blog.myspace.com/nathanatx}

"With love we are going to defeat violence. Love in general is beautiful and without love, life is unbearable." These are the words of Samah, a young Iraqi woman who was commenting on how she was determined to celebrate Saint Valentines Day, in spite the ever-present threat of car-bombings and street violence in Baghdad.

"Without love, life is unbearable." I'm trying to imagine what it would be like to be in her shoes and say those words. There is a heaviness to that statement, a revelation of her struggle to find meaning for her life in the midst of war and tragedy. It is even possible that what she is not saying is that she has concluded that she would be better off dead if she can't have love. Yet, I can hear her still clinging to hope and being determined to follow her heart in spite of the violence & injustice surrounding her.

I know many people who get bogged down with loneliness and depression around the holidays, especially today Saint Valentines Day. I get a tinge of that myself from time to time. We think that our lives would just be perfect if we could find someone to love, who would equally love us. We are the romantics, or at least that's what we'd like to call ourselves.

Why do these holidays make us so focused on ourselves? Why do we feel disappointed if we don't get what we wanted for Christmas? Why do we feel sad if we don't have a partner on Valentines day?

I know we're all human, I certainly am, but I believe God's plan for us is for us to have peaceful, abundant, joyful lives. Maybe there's a way we can turn these holidays from times of year where we get our self-centered hopes & expectations up into times where we become especially focused on the people around us.

How would your experience of Valentine's Day change if it became your personal holiday to become laser focused on being God's love to people in your life? I'm talking about friends, enemies, strangers, co-workers, family members, partners, ex-partners, etc. What would the impact be on your life and theirs if you laid all of your personal expectations, agendas, and plans aside to listen to God's heart for the people around you?

Celebrating romance is wonderful. Celebrating the compassionate and eternal love of God is even better. Remember the truth of Samah's words, "without love, life is unbearable." Be God's love for the people in your life. As you bring people love, hope and freedom, you will discover that same love, hope & freedom for yourself.

If anyone hasn't told you they care about you today, let me be the first. Happy Valentine's Day!

I want you to know that the God who created you and delights in you has wonderful plans for your life. Pursue knowing who God is and discovering the depth of God's love for you and others and your life will never be the same.

"A thief is only there to steal and kill and destroy. I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of." -- Jesus (John 10:10, the Message)

[Zerbie]

Nathan, that is so beautiful! Thank you for posting that.

I never used to acknowledge Valentine's Day one way or the other, til I met my husband. Then it became a day when he sends me roses. Today I felt like I wanted to celebrate it a little, and had a pleasant time wandering about with a Goodie Bag dispensing little candies. Actually, celebrating Valentine's Day was good for me sort of in the sense you mention, because I've been inclined to be in a very bad mood today! And reminding myself that I'm celebrating Valentine's actually cheered me up, and gave me an excuse to hug all my friends tonight.

Your post is beautiful, I've really nothing to add. Just that I like it and it would give me a lot of joy to take your words to heart. Thanks for sharing that.

And Happy Valentine's Day again to all of ya!

Hugs!

[Vanessa White]

THank you so much on that thread, and it does have significance for me today. First, it helps me to put into perspective what this woman actually experiences daily, how many of her own loved ones, friends or neighbors that have been lost in this war. I have to also say, that even though I do have a partner with whom to share it, Valentine's Day is for me, a day to show my unending love and appreciation for all of those I care about, and those I don't know yet, in my life. I , like Zerbie, passed out candy all day to coworkers, who appreciated it so much. I sent emails to all of my family members, I felt even happier than usual, because I was spreading my love, which is a HUGE reflection of God's love for me. Thanks for that, Nathan. I hope that you had a special, loving day. Vanessa

[NathanATX]

Thank you for the sweet comments, ladies!

I had a nice dinner with friends on Monday... and had the most sensuous Tres Leches cake I've ever had.

On Valentines day I was working until about 11.

I'm excited about my romantic future... If God is growing me this much, this fast... He must be getting me ready for an AWESOME man!

[Vanessa White]

Amen to that!