Today is Valentine’s Day, a day dedicated to celebrating love and affection. My husband Bobby and I decided to celebrate early last week, thinking we had our special moment. But as it turned out, the real celebration happened last night.
Did you know that Valentine’s Day is named after a priest who was martyred for his faith? His name was Saint Valentine. There are several legends about him, each highlighting his acts of kindness. One such legend suggests that Saint Valentine was a priest in Rome during the reign of Emperor Claudius II. Claudius had banned marriages for young men, believing single men made better soldiers. Valentine defied this decree and continued to perform marriages in secret, risking his life for love. He was martyred for his faith on February 14th, around the year 269 AD, which later became associated with the celebration of love and affection.
Saint Valentine didn’t know a thing about going to dinner or sending or receiving flowers. I love that stuff and want to do them again! But, while last night was hard, it was a Valentine’s Day (Eve) to remember.
Snowpocalypse
As I drove home from work last night, the snow was falling heavily. It was so thick that I couldn’t see the lines on the road. The closer I got to home, the more my car, Charles, began to fishtail. Normally, Charles is the one passing other cars in bad weather, but last night was different. The roads were untreated, and the hill leading to our street was treacherous. I knew I couldn’t make it down safely, so I turned onto a side street to think things through. Traffic was slow and heavy due to a road closure, and I decided to call Bobby for help.
“Charles is all over the road. I can’t make it down the hill. I don’t know what to do,” I told him. Bobby reassured me, “The hill isn’t great, but people are getting up and down it right now.” Normally, I’m a better-than-average driver in snow, and so is Charles. But last night, Charles wasn’t being Charles. Bobby suggested, “Maybe it’s the tires. Do you want me to meet you and lead or follow you home?” I quickly agreed, and within minutes, he was there.
Everything was semi-okay until we reached The Hill. A truck got between us, and as soon as we started down, Charles began fishtailing badly. Bobby saw my headlights swerving in his rear-view mirror and calmly instructed me to turn into a nearby driveway. “But try not to hit anything,” he added. Um, Okaaaay. Haha! Jesus apparently took the wheel, and I managed to get into the driveway cleanly. Bobby found another way and got us home safely.
But the adventure didn’t end there. Bobby had to walk a quarter mile up that treacherous hill in the dark, with cars losing traction around him, to retrieve his car. I was so worried. He had forgotten his phone in his car, so I gave him mine, leaving me with no way to keep in touch. As he walked down our long driveway into the night, I stood by the window, praying for his safety and watching the clock.
Throughout his life, Saint Valentine was a strong advocate for love and faith, often risking his own safety to help others. His dedication to these principles made him a beloved figure in Christian history. When Bobby finally got home, he gave me a huge hug and said, “You can go to bed now and thank Jesus that you’re home safe.” I told him I would certainly do that, but I would also be thanking Jesus for a husband who shows me real love every day with his kindness and protection.
Living out love involves acts of kindness and service. It is about showing our love through our actions, whether small or big.
God has a lot to say about how we should treat one another
You might not believe what I believe, but you’re safe and loved here. I hope you feel the same way about me. To me, though, God is everything. I can’t talk about what makes my life work, what makes it great, what makes it joyful – without talking about Him.
Here’s what He says about how we should treat one another. I’m grateful that Bobby listens to Him and treats me in this way.
1 John 3:18
“Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.” – 1 John 3:18
Luke 6:31
“Do to others as you would have them do to you.” – Luke 6:31
Ephesians 5:25
“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.” – Ephesians 5:25
Colossians 3:19
“Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.” – Colossians 3:19
1 Thessalonians 5:11
“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:11
Throughout his life, Saint Valentine was a strong advocate for love and faith, often risking his own safety to help others. His dedication to these principles made him a beloved figure in Christian history.
Happy Valentine’s Month!
Lori
