A Swedish Proverb says : "Love me when I least deserve it, because that's when I really need it"
It's interesting, because God did just that! He loved us before we deserved it. Hard to believe, isn't it?
In the New Testament, John 3:16 states: "For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life"
Today is Valentine's Day. When and how did it start? Many people anticipate and celebrate this holiday, and we have had many Valentine's parties at our house, here and in California. However, growing up in Turkey, and then in Sweden for several years, Valentine's was not a holiday that I ever remember celebrating.
Well, there are many fun facts about this day. It dates back to Roman times. In the 1300s it officially became a holiday associated with Love. Then we have Cupid, which has its roots in Greek mythology, dating back to 700BC. Cupid was supposed to depict Eros, the young handsome Greek god of love. Overtime he became known as Cupid, by the Romans and his image was changed from young handsome man to the little boy with bow and arrow. Because of his love inspiring powers, he was then linked to Valentine's Day by the turn of the 19th century. Giving flowers dates back to the 17th century and according to Hallmark, 145 million cards are exchanged every February 14, making it the second biggest holiday for exchanging greeting cards, Christmas being number one.
This holiday has evolved over the years. Not only do we give gifts, flowers, cards and chocolates to our friends and loved ones, but also to our pets. According to some reports, around 27.6 million American households gave presents to their dogs in 2020, and more than 17.1 million picked up gifts for their cats. All in all, American households spend an estimated 751 million dollars on gifts for their pets. I guess our furry children need love too,but they would be content by just being loved, I am not sure they understand getting a bunch of gifts.
Today, Americans spend a lot of love. In 2023 it was estimated that they spent $26 Billion on gifts. This spending can be stressful for many, I am sure. The most popular gift is giving a box of chocolates and the heart shaped box was introduced in 1861. I can go on and on with lots more fun facts, but LOVE is something we can express and live with on a daily basis, not only on Valentine's, and it doesn't cost anything.
Here are some more quotes about love: .
"Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage"
----Lao Tzu
"Love is a friendship that has caught fire. It is quiet understanding, mutual confidence, sharing and forgiving. It is loyalty through good and bad times. It settles for less than perfection, and makes allowances for human weaknesses"
-----Ann Landers
Most of all, LOVE never fails.
It is best summarized in the New Testament, 1Corinthians 13:4-8
"Love is Patient, love is Kind. It does not envy. It does not boast. It is not proud. It does not dishonor others. It is not self-seeking. It is not easily angered. It keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes and always perseveres"
Remember that God loved us first, so we can love one another, at ALL times and under ANY circumstance, no only on Valentine's Day.........
HAPPY VALENTINE'S
