Learning to love February

How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!
And that is what we are!
(1 John 3:1)

Wintry, drab, bleak - sometimes February is my least favourite month. And as for Valentine’s Day, I’ve spent most of my life trying to ignore it. I’ve rarely been overwhelmed with flowers, chocs or declarations of undying love. My most memorable secret Valentine’s card was from my Mum when I was six. Of course it’s fab to celebrate your partner if you’re fortunate enough to have one. But if not, Feb 14th can be a bit of a blank, a strangely exclusive  - what is it even? A festival? One thing’s for sure, it’s a retail fest.
 
My quarrel with Valentine’s Day has been challenged, though, by a friend. She’s the daughter of a Canadian family who took me under their wing when I lived in Uganda. One Feb 14th she sent me a beautiful homemade card to remind me how much God loves me. It gave me a whole different perspective on the day as a moment to celebrate God’s lavish love for each of us. And it’s a chance to remind others, too, that they are God’s deeply loved children, who bring him great joy.
 
Hearing God’s voice of love all over again energises me for the walk through drab February. I start to notice the snowdrops, the robin’s exuberant song, the first hints of spring in the late afternoon light.
 
This Valentine’s Day, how about taking a few minutes with God to receive his overwhelming love and hear his voice saying, “You are my beloved child! You bring me great joy.” And how about sending God’s message of love to someone else?