This Valentine's Day...

So, Valentine's Day is today. My workplace(Subway) is inside Walmart, so I've been seeing all the cards, chocolates, and cute stuffed animals holding hearts that say "I love you". And if you're like a lot of people I saw yesterday, you were out buying your last-minute flowers and cards for that special someone. Now before going any further, I'll tell you that this is not a I'm-single-and-lonely-so-I-hate-Valentine's-Day rant. I love seeing all those husbands and wives, boyfriends and girlfriends taking the time to go find something to make V-Day extra special for their significant other. But it got me thinking. What about the people who don't have "anyone"(myself included)? The people who cry through February and try to avoid the pink and red sections of the store where they're shopping. Now, being a Christian, I will say(truthfully), that God is your everything and He loves you so much He died for you!! Whenever I feel depressed about my relationship status(or lack thereof), it's usually because I've lost sight of that truth. But there's more I want to say to you, dear friends. Whenever I feel down, no matter what it is, the advice I receive is commonly this -- "Take the focus off of yourself, make someone else's day instead". But how can you make someone else feel loved around Valentine's Day, without making that person uncomfortably awkweird? After all, Valentine's Day is all about romance, right?! WRONG. It doesn't have to be. Now think, who is someone around you who doesn't have anyone "special", who feels lonely and even tearful at this time of year? The answer I came up with?....................... Siblings! You know, those people who you can be your crazy self with and they don't judge you, they just be crazy right back! So I have a challenge to ya'll reading this(single or not): Do you have a single sibling(or cousin; cousins can be just like siblings as well:)? Then make today special for them! Like I said, Valentine's doesn't have to be romantic mushiness. I have a brother. So I made him a card and told him how grateful I am that he's my brother and I love him. And he appreciated it a lot. And we unexpectedly started a tradition every Valentine's Day of letting the other know how much we appreciate eachother(he even surprised me with flowers and chocolate last year!). Are you a sister who has a brother? make him a card and let him know he's appreciated! Are you a brother who has a sister? buy her some flowers and tell her you love her! Are you a sister with a sister? give her a hug and tell her she's loved! Are you a brother with.... a brother? A simple encouraging word can go a long way; encourage him to hang in there! But most of all, remind them who they are in Christ. Remind them that if they put their focus on following God, and trusting Him with their future(and that includes future relationships), then He will bless them with His peace. When we commit our way to Him, and believe that His plan for our lives is perfect, then we don't have to worry. We have a Father who knows the number of the hairs on our heads, who knows our hearts, knows our desires, and knows our pains. And there are people close in our lives who need to be reminded. Sisters, brothers, cousins, friends, nieces, nephews(you get the idea). Take the opportunity tomorrow to remind one(or more) of them of the incredible plan God has for their lives! Do you yourself have yet to trust Him with your Happily Ever After? Then I pray that this has opened your heart. Already trust Him? Share that trust with someone else!

In Christ, Shannon :)
#HappyValentinesDay