Ok, I have a confession to make. Valentine's Day makes my skin crawl. I am, believe it or not, fully aware of the free chocolate, flowers, romantic dates and sweet words from Mr. Hallmark that comes with February 14th. Call me insane, but sometimes it just seems to me to be a scheme of commercialism, loading pressure on men and draining pocketbooks. Oh, you do not want to see the wrath of a woman who has been forgotten on Valentine's Day! And what about the women who don't have a man? Seeing everyday things like cookies and soda cans become red, pink and white must become smothering. Mind you, this is coming from a die hard romantic who thrives off of emotion and passion, herself. Love and hearts and chocolates and romance...these are some of God's most beautiful creations (especially chocolate, agreed Ladies?). And I will say, it's hilarious to stroll through the nearest convenient store on the 13th. The card isle, once neat and clean, now looks like downtown Baghdad, lined with confused lovers trying to figure out how to express their emotions. Hm..don't get me wrong. There are those men that know exactly how to say and show just what they feel. Praise Christ, I have one of them! But I'll be the first to admit, we women are pretty difficult. (Sorry!)
No, my problem isn't with what we celebrate on Valentine's day, but rather the hype that comes along with this one day. But today I sit staring at a picture of a chubby cupid, angel wings and all. He's staring back too, as if he's beckoning me to change my mind. As I fight my cynicism I can't help but feel Mr. Valentine prodding at my heart. (Or could that be...Jesus?) After all, it's love that we are celebrating! And isn't love the one thing that is promised to be a conduit of hope and strength? It is hope and strength that we need. It is love that we need. It is the perfect love of a Nazarene that I have committed to waste my life on. If I could name Jesus in one word it would simply be: Lover. If you know me at all, or even if you are receiving this email...you know that I am constantly begging us to look beyond what we see or know and let the Holy Spirit prod at our hearts and minds. I believe there is more.

My community family and I have had a revelation. We have found that the surest way for us to grow together is to serve together. The love between Jeremiah and I roots even deeper when we are side by side, pouring into someone else. When I see my roommates sacrificing their needs for the needs of a single mom, my love for them blossoms even more. Tomorrow, a few of us will spend the evening with the lowest of the low. The ones that feel forgotten and abandoned. We want so badly for them to know that there is a God who loves them. We want them to find hope and strength. Can we turn our love outwards this February? With your spouse or a friend, your kids or your parents, team up and commit to bringing hope and strength to someone. Not just tomorrow, but every week, everyday! Oh, how we would be changed! And while romance is a beautiful thing that is shared between a man and a woman, I promise your spirit's will mingle as you partner in crimes of love and forgiveness.

Let's not forget that we, ourselves, have been claimed by the greatest Lover of all times. The One who puts Hallmark to shame and called cupid into being. The Author of passion and the Pursuer of intimacy. He is chasing after us! He is serenading us and showering us with the sweetest of words. He has betrothed himself to us (Hosea 2) and called us his bride. The One and only Lover who can go deeper than any husband or wife ever could. Our precious Jesus. Revel in Divine romance this week. And may it only grow sweeter.

Keri