Hello Reader,

Happy Valentine's Day my friends! ❤️ I know many people think of today as just another Hallmark card day for restaurants and florists to make extra money, but I've gotta admit, I always love a reason to celebrate. We tend to celebrate as much as we can, so a day to share with my husband and boys how much I love them, to swap a few gifts or enjoy a special treat, sign me up!

With that said, I also think it's super important to teach what love is and what it isn't. While celebrating a holiday like Valentine's Day is fun, love isn't getting flowers and a fancy date night or extravagant gift. Love is the selfless acts committed by one person to another which model the behavior and example of Jesus.

Love looks like saying, "I'm sorry." when you mess up with your people.

Love looks like reaching out to a friend when you think of them and saying a prayer for them.

Love looks like correcting and teaching a child something for the millionth time.

Love looks like rocking a baby.

Love looks like washing dishes together after dinner.

Love looks like faithfully working alongside one another toward common goals.

Love looks like a million little moments outside of just Valentine's Day where you show up for the people around you.

So this Valentine's Day, I hope you find a sweet way to celebrate the ones you love. Maybe it's a note folded up and tucked into their wallet on the way to work. Maybe it's packing their favorite snacks for lunch, or being intentional about giving a hug and a kiss and an "I love you." Maybe it's a big gesture, or a small kindness, but whatever stage of life you are in, whatever your family life looks like or what your circle of community is remember the best way to make a day like Valentine's Day great is to serve those around you.

"My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you."

-Jesus (Jn 15:12)

Father, thank You for showing us Your great love for us in sending Jesus to die and raise to life again for our salvation. Help me to love those around me well, today and everyday. In the name of Jesus and by the power of the Spirit I pray, amen.

In His Grace,

Curious about the origin of Valentine's Day?

If you're curious about the origins of this holiday and the role in church history, click the link below to read a little more about how we got our modern Valentine Day celebration.

Natalia Drumm is a wife, homeschooling mother to three boys, and graduate from Dallas Theological Seminary with a passion for women's ministry and sharing the Gospel. Seeking to glorify God through equipping women to study Scripture and grow in their faith, she is the creator of Girlfriends in the Word™ Bible studies for busy women. To learn more, or connect with her online you can find her on Instagram @nataliadrumm or check out her website www.nataliadrumm.com​

​