Valentine's day blues? Not here.

So a little over a year ago I was asked out by a guy.Surprising I know. I was very flattered,and played with the idea in my head for a couple days. I knew ultimately thatit was not time for me to be in a relationship, and I had to turn him down. Idid not understand why I couldn’t date him, and could not answer people’squestions when they asked why I had not accepted his offer to go grab coffeetogether. I told him, and them that I did not want to lead him on; which wastrue, but it did not seem to satisfy their questions as well as my own. I didnot have an answer, and doubted my decision all the time. I remember listingall of his great qualities to the Lord, as if He didn’t already know them.

Now this guy is still a good friend of mine and I see himoften. Who knows, if the Lord wants us together then he will make it happen.However, there are things that had to happen between then and now that I wouldprobably not have learned had I been in a relationship. The past year or so theLord has started a process of what I call “stripping” me down. He has pulledall the excess things from my life, so that I had no other option, but to turnmy attention to Him. He did not want my heart to fall for a guy, but to fallfor Him. The Lord wanted to romance and win me as well as my heart. There was healing that had to take place and trust that had to be built. I had to let down my walls and surrender all to theLord, as well as allowing Him to heal the hurt places in my life.

Had I gotten in a relationship I probably would have looked to him for answers to my questions and doubts and for bandages for my wounds.Also I probably would have ended up hurting the guy instead of building him upand walking beside him as he strived to be a man of God. But the Lord said, “Iwill have none of that. I want you as my own.”

He continued to strip me of things I had held dear. He mademe realize that I did not need friendships. Instead I should look at them aspeople He has blessed me with, but not people I depend on. I went throughperiods of time that involved deep heart ache, late nights, when only He wasawake to comfort and hold me. I learnedthat He is all I need. Sounds cliché, but it’s true.

I learned that no one can love me the way He does. Once Istarted to see how much He truly loves me, it became easier for me to acceptunconditional love from friends and family. I learned that He does not love mebecause of what I accomplish or what I can give Him, because I really cannotgive Him anything other than my heart.

So this Valentine’s day, when I could be focused on how Icould be in a relationship with an awesome guy; I’m going to focus on myrelationship with the Lord. He is the ultimate Lover and paid the ultimatesacrifice for me. No earthly man has given his life for me to show me that heloves me, but Jesus did. He paid the price.

I do not want to join the masses and become bitter towardsall the couples celebrating Valentine ’s Day. Love is definitely a good thingto celebrate. However, let us realize we don’t have to celebrate earthly love,or love from a guy or girl. Instead, let us all rejoice in the fact that theGod of this Universe loves us. He loves us dearly. He is not giving us roses toenjoy for this one day, instead He has given us all of creation to enjoy forthe rest of our lives. We have mountains and oceans, flowers and animals, tolook at and be reminded that He created nature for us to enjoy and to bereminded of His power and love.

Romans 1:20 says, “For since the creation of the world God’sinvisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen,being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.”

There is no reason to not recognize all He has done for us.Let us take on this day to share the love of Christ with everyone we encounter,and to look around us and be reminded of His love.

Please don’t throw yourself a pity party. Get out thereand live the life God has intended for you. And share the love the Lord has lavished on us.

Take a look at these pictures and tell me that God doesn't exist. We serve a powerful and very creative God.