Single on Valentine’s Day: What To Do?

Ok, let’s just get it out in the open and not pretend the day is not coming. The inevitable Valentine’s day, the once a year February 14th when we commemorate and point to the obvious fact that you’re still single is coming! YEAH! Fun! 

Though I know this day most likely pains your heart (it most certainly did when I was still single), this does not need to be your fate next week. 

I think it’s funny how the enemy always twists and turns the truth into a half lie. The origin of Valentine’s day actually brings glory to the Lord and honors the sacredness of marriage but now, just like any holiday, it’s turned into this over commercialized lust fest where we forget about the real story behind Valentine’s day. 

The origin of Valentine’s day comes from Saint Valentine who was a priest in Rome who married Christian couples during a time of persecution of Christians. The emperor Claudius II (Claudius Gothicus) actually took a liking to Valentine when he was imprisoned for helping Christians. But when Valentine witnessed to Claudius, he had Valentine martyred. First, he was beaten with clubs and stoned, when Valentine was still alive after those tortures, Claudius had him beheaded.

The truth is, the holiday actually has roots in a testimony of a man’s love for God. Not loving his life onto death, by the grace of God, he took a stand for the truth of God and what He stood for. He witnessed to an evil king who was persecuting Christians at the time knowing full well what the consequences would be. 

I invite you to take some time this Valentine’s day to also take a stand in your heart for the Lord. To wait upon Him, meditate upon His Word that proclaims His everlasting love for His children. 

There is a man who laid down His life for you. Who died on the Cross and made a way for you to be able to be with Him where He is (1 John 4:9-10). A man who greatly desires you (John 17:24). A man who has gone ahead to prepare a place for you (John 14:2). A man who sees and notices you (2 Chronicles 16:9). A man who will listen, catch every tear, who is compassionate and talks to you (Psalm 56:8, Heb. 4:14-16, John 10:27). 

When we meditate upon the great love letter the Lord has written us, give Him space to give us grace to listen and hear His words of life, our hearts will draw near our true Bridegroom whom we will be reunited with one day.  Though before He returns we must endure and persevere through the difficulty and hardships of our longing for Him, we know that He is coming and there will be one day where pain ceases. 

This truth is not only for singles but for me as well. I need to continually lean into the Lord for grace to see His great love for me. My husband’s presence, his embrace, his kiss, his comforting words, however sweet can never be sweeter than the words Christ speaks to me both through His Word and throughout the day. 

I also thought up of some other fun activities you can do on Valentine’s day to celebrate God’s love for you instead of focusing on your lack which is most likely what the enemy wants you to do:

1. Ask the Lord for His personal love letter to you. Take some time to sit and wait upon Him, see what He speaks to you or pictures He puts into your heart. Try to let yourself use your imagination to encounter Him and draw near Him. Then if you’re the creative type, make it into a pretty Valentine’s day card for yourself. 
2. Go on a little date with the Lord. Buy yourself a nice cup of tea, coffee or even a little treat. Go on a walk with Him and let Him speak to your heart. 
3. Ask Him for a Valentine’s day present that speaks to your heart then wait with joyful expectation for His gift to you. When we give Him an invitation, a space for Him to come and show up, you’ll be surprised with what He will do. Don’t try to limit Him with a specific gift like, “please give me a boyfriend this Valentine’s day.” Let Him surprise you! 
4. Go out with your girlfriends and recount how God has loved you so well with one another. There is power in sharing and remembering God’s goodness to us. 

I’d love to hear about your Valentine’s day plans : )! Please share it with me if you’ve got a minute! Remember, you are God’s beloved!