A few days ago a memory of a true story I heard years ago flooded my mind: A six-year-old boy, who could only best be described as awkward, desperately wanted to make Valentine’s cards for every member of his first-grade class. His concerned mom feared her son might not receive any cards from the other students, and even if he did, his homemade cards might make him the brunt of his classmate’s jokes. She was keenly aware that her son struggled to have friends and that homemade cards were considered “uncool,” so she gently tried to persuade him to give store-bought cards.
Some kids had been so cruel to her son that she privately wondered why he wanted to give Valentine’s cards at all.
But her son was unrelenting.
“I want to make cards and I don’t want to leave anyone out.”
Reluctantly, the mom helped her son craft his hand-made cards for every student in the class.
On Valentine’s Day morning, she placed the cards in a pretty bag, dropped her son at school, and prayed that all would be OK.
At 3 pm sharp she pulled into the school parking lot and saw her son standing alone, as usual. She scoured his face for any signs of how the day had gone. As he opened the car door and slid into the seat she heard him mutter, “Not a single one.”
Her heart dropped.
He said it again. “Not a single one.”
What could she possibly say to soften the blow? she wondered. But before she was able to speak, her son repeated the phrase, this time adding something he hadn’t said before.
“Mom,” he said with a broad smile, “I didn’t forget a single one.”
When this story came to mind days ago, I thought about how complicated Valentine’s Day can be sometimes.
Some of us have expectations of our loved ones that will go unfulfilled. Some of us don’t have a “special someone” which makes us feel left out. Some of us had someone who once loved us, but because of death, divorce, or something devastating, they’re no longer in our lives, which makes us sad. And some of us feel like the hubbub surrounding the holiday is just one big marketing day meant to force us to spend a small fortune on cards, flowers, and expensive meals.
But, what if we flipped the script?
What if we took a page from the six-year-old boy’s playbook and looked at Valentine’s Day–and every day, actually–as a way to make sure we don’t miss a single one?
What if we took time to make sure the people we rub shoulders with today feel seen and loved, irrespective of whether they do the same for us?
This is the very definition of love.
Love is never me-centered; love is you-centered.
This is what Jesus modeled for us. He loved the whole world.
And He didn’t miss a single one.
Happy Valentine’s Month!
You are loved,
Donna
PS. If you are married or engaged you do not want to miss my conversation with Ed and Angie Wright airing Wednesday, February 12th on the That’s Just What I Needed Podcast. (Check out the other incredible episodes below.)
PSS. Don’t forget to get your copy of my latest book, Healthy Conflict, Peaceful Life: a Biblical Guide to Communicating Thoughts, Feelings, and Opinions with Grace, Truth, and Zero Regret. You can purchase it everywhere books are sold. Or check it out here.
This Month on the That’s Just What I Needed Podcast
Wow, Friends! This month my guests are simply wonderful. You’re sure to find an episode that is just what you need. If you haven’t listened yet, you are missing out! What are you waiting for? The podcast is a great way to fill your time while you drive, do housework, or take a walk.
When Worry Sneaks Into Your Prayers: Breaking the Cycle https://donnajones.org/podcast/
Everyday Prayers for Love: Finding God in Small, Faithful Steps with Rachel Adams https://donnajones.org/podcast/
How to Navigate Life’s Endings and Find Hope in New Beginnings with Dawn Mann Sanders https://donnajones.org/podcast/
How to Overcome Loneliness with Cindi McMenamin https://donnajones.org/podcast/
How to Find Peace and Purpose Through God’s Promises with Danita Cummins https://donnajones.org/podcast/
