Valentines for the Soul: Nothing will come between us

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

—Romans 8:38-39

How many times have you attended a wedding and witnessed the happy couple, pledging their love to each other? Perhaps they recited vows they wrote themselves or the traditional wedding vows as follows:

"I, ___, take thee, ___, to be my wedded husband/wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part, according to God's holy ordinance; and thereto I pledge thee my faith [or] pledge myself to you."

How many times have you heard a love-stricken couple declare, “Nothing will come between us?” Perhaps you have been the subject of that declaration or maybe you made that statement yourself.

Valentines for the Soul: They're playing our song

And you gave me a new song, a song of praise to you. Many will see this, and they will honor and trust you, the Lord God.

—Psalm 40:3

Have you ever been in love and couldn’t help but sing? You sing along to every love song you hear. You make up your own silly little songs. You sing with and to your sweetheart. You and your love even have your own song, one that commemorates a special moment in your relationship. Perhaps the song was playing on the radio on your first date or when you shared a meal at a restaurant. Maybe it marked your first kiss. Now when you hear it, all you have to do is look at your love and your eyes convey the message, “They’re playing our song.”

Valentines for the Soul: Will you accept this rose?

I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys.

—Song of Solomon 2:1 KJV

If you’ve ever watched The Bachelor, a dating and relationship reality television series, you are familiar with the phrase, “Will you accept this rose?”

The series revolves around a single bachelor, seeking a wife. He is matched with a selection of suitresses. During the course of the season, the bachelor narrows down his choices at the rose ceremonies. If he sees potential in a candidate and wants to continue pursuing the relationship, he will extend toward her a long stem red rose, asking, “Will you accept this rose?”

Valentines for the Soul: I am praying for you

Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.

—Romans 8:34

Have you ever had the privilege of praying out loud with a mate just before drifting off to sleep at night? There are not many things more comforting than that, hearing your name brought before the King of the universe by your beloved, beseeching the throne of grace on your behalf.

Valentines for the Soul: I AM Here

I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go.

—Genesis 28:15a

“I am in your corner” is a saying that means “I’m here and I support you.” Some might say it means “I’ve got your back.”

“I am in your corner” originated in the sport of boxing, where a fighter’s trainer and assistant are in his corner, there to provide advice between rounds. A trainer can also call off a fight that has potentially life-threatening consequences. 

Valentines for the Soul: Call Me

My dove in the clefts of the rock,

    in the hiding places on the mountainside,

show me your face,

    let me hear your voice;

for your voice is sweet,

    and your face is lovely.

—Song of Songs 2:14

Have you ever been so in love that your breath catches in your throat when your sweetheart calls? Seeing their name light up your cell phone screen sets off butterflies in your stomach, and the bonus of seeing their face through video chat sends you over the moon.

Valentines for the Soul: You Are Beautiful

You are altogether beautiful, my darling;

there is no flaw in you.

—Song of Songs 4:7

Do you stand in front of the mirror and scrutinize your appearance? Do you pick out flaws, your crooked smile, the one earlobe larger than the other, the way your nose wrinkles when you talk? 

Valentines for the Soul: May I Have This Dance?

“The Lord your God in your midst,

The Mighty One, will save;

He will rejoice over you with gladness,

He will quiet you with His love,

He will rejoice over you with singing.”

—Zephaniah 3:17 NKJV

Some of the best times of my life have been celebrations—wedding receptions, birthday parties, and anniversaries. Joining together with family and friends to commemorate a milestone with lots of music, dancing, and laughter. How I have enjoyed kicking up my heals on the dance floor, spinning freely to an upbeat song, singing out the lyrics as I went!

Did you know that God likes to dance too? Did you know that He dances over you?

Valentines for the Soul: I See You

Lord, you have seen what is in my heart.
You know all about me.

—Psalm 139:1 NIRV

If you have ever seen the movie Avatar, you are familiar with the greeting used on Pandora: “I see you.” These simple words mean I see your love, your feelings, your true essence, and you mean everything to me.

“I see you” is also a tribal greeting in South Africa. Being greeted this way brings you into existence. You are acknowledged and you matter.

In the book of Genesis, we read the story of Hagar, the slave of Sarai (Sarah). When mistreated by her mistress, Hagar fled to the desert. There the angel of the Lord met her and revealed to her God’s promised blessing. In return, Hagar gave this name to the Lord, “You are the God who sees me” (Genesis 16:13).

God sees you. He sees when you’re happy, when you’re sad, when you’re anxious or have been mistreated. He recognizes what is bothering you when no one else does. Just like He sent an angel to acknowledge and bless Hagar, He is working out all the details in your life too, because you matter. God sees your heart, your true essence, and you mean everything to Him.

Thank You, God, for seeing me. Help me to see You and recognize the infinite depth of Your love for me. May I trust You, as You work in my life the way You see fit. 

Valentines for the Soul: Can't Stop Thinking About You!

How precious it is, Lord, to realize that you are thinking about me constantly! I can’t even count how many times a day your thoughts turn toward me. And when I waken in the morning, you are still thinking of me!

—Psalm 139:17 TLB

Have you ever had such an enjoyable first date that you didn’t want it to end? The two of you seemed to connect on so many levels, and the chemistry was undeniable. You went to bed that night and tossed and turned. You couldn’t sleep because you kept replaying your conversation over and over again. The next morning you couldn’t stop thinking about your love interest. You could hardly wait to hear from them again.

That’s how God feels about you. About me. He never stops thinking about us. His thoughts toward us are precious and immeasurable. They are “thoughts of peace,” says the Lord, “and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope” (Jeremiah 29:11).

Dear Lord, How precious and wonderful to consider that you cherish me constantly in your every thought! O God, your desires toward me are more than the grains of sand on every shore! When I awake each morning, you’re still with me (Psalm 139:17 TPT). Thank You, Lord.

Shifting Shadows

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

—James 1:17

Having seen no shadow this morning, Punxsutawney Phil predicts an early spring. That is good news for me, as the winter months are lonely months. Cold weather and short-changed sunlight can hold me hostage inside my home, isolated from family and friends. I check my cell phone countless times to see if a loved one has texted. Has anyone wished me a good morning? Is anyone praying for me? Does anyone care how my day was?