Is Valentine’s Day a tough day for you?

Maybe (like myself) God has called you to a season of singleness. Or maybe there’s no one in your life that you’re interested in dating right now.

Either way, Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to be a day of sadness where you focus on what you don’t currently have. (To the point of drowning your sorrows in a vat or two of ice cream!) Instead, it can be a day where you focus on deepening what you do currently have - the amazing, unconditional love of God and Jesus.

And guess what? You can do it in super fun and creative ways!

Join me, sister, as I give you five unique and creative options to doing just that. It’s time to turn Valentine's Day on its head!

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Show Notes:

• Intro

  • As I open this episode, I want to take a moment to recognize and encourage my fellow single ladies. I’ve been single since 2011 - when my marriage ended. Since then, God has called me into a season of singleness. You might have a similar call. Or, maybe you’re just in a season where you need to focus on things other than dating. Or, maybe there’s just no one in your sphere right now that you’re interested in dating.

  • Either way, I understand the challenges and emotions that Valentine’s Day might bring for you. Especially with the holiday being as commercialized as it is. It’s easy to feel left out, lonely, or even unsure about what God’s plans are for you in the romantic department.

  • But one of the many amazing things about our God is that He is love. It says right there in 1 John 4: “God is love.” And He’s real, legit love that will never leave us nor forsake us. No matter what we’ve done; what we’re going through; how much we weigh; how worthy we think we are, etc.

  • So even if there isn’t someone special in your life right now as far as a man goes…you’re still very much loved. Insanely loved, in fact. With a perfect love that only God (and His son) can offer. 

  • Which means Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to be a day that focuses on what you don’t currently have. Instead, it can be a day that focuses on deepening what you do have. The love of God.

  • So let’s look at some fun and creative ways to do just that! To connect with God, Jesus, or both. And to feel so very, very loved.     

• 1) Surround yourself with Valentines from your Heavenly Father and/or Jesus

  • I’m taking you back to your school days with this one! Do you remember exchanging Valentines with your classmates? (And the all-important decision of which ones to buy? Being that they usually include whatever kids shows or characters were most popular at the time?)

  • Anyway, yes! I am talking about the fun, itty bitty Valentines made for kids. Not the greeting cards for adults. 

  • Get back in touch with your inner child - for Jesus. Go to Target, Wal-Mart, or even Amazon and pick out a box or two that inspires you. It doesn’t need to have a character; I’m sure they have more generic ones. But choose which ones bring you joy.

  • Next, take a bunch of those Valentines and, on each one, write either a Scripture that talks about God’s love; or something God (or Jesus) has shared with you - or did for you - that made you feel loved. Or quotes from Christian books, podcasters, or whomever that pertains to God’s love.

  • Then take those Valentines and place them all around your house. On the fridge; on your bathroom mirror; in your office; in the car; wherever!

  • Make it feel like God or Jesus walked into your home and decorated it with Valentines just for you!

  • If for some reason you can’t place them around your home - for example, maybe you have a roommate that wouldn’t appreciate it - then make a Valentine’s box. Just like you did in school - so that the other kids could place their Valentine for you inside. Only in this case, place all of your Valentines inside and pull one out each day to savor and meditate on.      

  • And by the way, if you’re doing this during another time of year and can’t get your hands on some Valentines, you can use postcards, greeting cards, or even fun stationery instead.

• 2) Treat yourself to physical reminders of God’s love for you - and how special you are

  • One of the reasons I have my online store is so women just like yourself can be surrounded with creative, fun, and highly inspirational products that remind you, on a daily basis, how much God and Jesus adore you. And are there for you. And think the world of you - even when you’re doubting yourself.

  • That’s why each design in my store is created by yours truly. So the sayings, and quotes, and overall designs can really hit those things on the head. In a way that I don’t think we’ve seen in traditional settings.

  • And you have your pick! Each design is available on 50+ products including stickers, pins, greeting cards, journals, coasters, T-shirts, tote bags, zipper pouches, and a whole lot more! You can also get a design as a throw pillow, shower curtain, blanket…and other home decor items.

  • Wrap up in a blanket every night that speaks of God's love! Or how much Jesus sees your impact in the world. Write to them in a custom journal. Drink your coffee every morning with a message from Jesus. Gaze upon it as a piece of wall art.

  • There’s so much power in what we physically surround ourselves with. So surround yourself with the ultimate love - in a fun and practical way.

  • Visit https://www.RelateEscape.com/Store or visit the link in the show notes.

• 3) Place photos of Jesus by your bedside, on your desk, etc.

  • Now when I say “photos,” of course I mean artwork or artistic renditions of Jesus. But I actually did this myself at one point. I found an image of Jesus that I liked; printed it out; and placed it in a frame just like I would for a family photo or something similar.

  • If Jesus is your “man” - this is a great way to solidify that a bit. To make it more visual. More real.

  • Place it on your bedside table so that He’s the first person you see when you wake up every morning; and the last one you see at night. Place it in your living room; on your desk in your home office; whenever you want. 

  • You can also have more than one picture! There’s no rules here. Just a desire to physically and visually put your quote/unquote “main man” in a place of prominence. To remind yourself that He’s there for you; He’s got you; and that you are loved.

• 4) Subscribe to the Heart City Church podcast

  • This is not a shameless plug - let me just state that upfront. I simply know what it’s like to be a woman that’s all for Jesus in a church that, well, isn’t. So if you happen to be in a similar place, I want you to have access to teaching that always keeps Jesus at the center. And that’s about actual Biblical truth - including God’s love for you as well as how He sees you. 

  • If that sounds right up your alley, I want you to subscribe to the Heart City Church podcast. (I’ll put the link in the show notes.) Heart City is a church plant here in Columbus, OH and it’s the church that I’ve been plugging into for the past year. Jake and Katie, the married couple who are planting the church, are very Jesus-centric and also about women being lifted up and treated in the legit Biblical way - which goes against a lot of what we’ve experienced. 

  • Each week, they Facebook livestream the Sunday service live. Then they take the audio and release it on the podcast. I’ll include the link to the main church website as well as the link to the podcast on iTunes.

• 5) Have a romantic date with Jesus

  • This might seem a little corny, but it’s not. Again, God and Jesus are dying to spend more time with you. Also, just because you might not have a man in your life to do things with doesn’t mean you need to stay home.

  • Whatever the “romantic” date looks like is up to you! Go fancy. Go casual. Go someplace far. Go someplace close by. Tour something together. Eat a meal together. Visit a museum together. Take a hike together. Do whatever you want to do - just keep Jesus at the center. Meaning, have a running conversation with Him - even if it’s in your head.

  • This is actually a great thing to do year-round. Whether it’s once a week or once a month…it’s a special time for you and Jesus. To get away. To focus on your relationship. All the while doing something that you enjoy. It’s almost like the ultimate form of self-care. Time with Jesus + time away + having fun!

  • And you get to do it your way, right? No arguing about where to eat, or how fancy to dress, or worrying about having the right outfit or makeup, etc. Just you, however you choose to show up, spending time with your Savior who loves you so much.

• Wrap-up

  • And that’s ultimately what all five of these suggestions are about - time with Jesus, or time with God, who love you more than anyone else ever will. And unfortunately, I think we tend to forget that sometimes. Or it gets overshadowed by thoughts about our relationship status - or lack thereof.

  • But that can change starting today! This year, make Valentine’s Day a day that you focus on the best, most life-changing love of all. And then carry that through to the rest of the year. Because unlike the commercialized holiday, God shows us His love in amazing, overflowing ways every day of the year. (And He creates endless fields of flowers - so no one can beat Him when it comes to bouquets! Now if only chocolates grew on trees, right?) Happy Valentine’s Day, friend!