Happy Valentines Day

““A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”” - John 13:34-35

Valentines day means many different things to many different people.  Some people LIVE for this day.  Completely filled with the need and the desire for the flowers, balloons, cards, fancy dinner, and everything else that can be marketed.   I have some single friends that dress in black and protest this day to the fullest.  Who says that Valentines day is only for couples?  Who says that Valentines day is only for lovers?  


This morning I came across the verse shown above and thought - Valentines Day is about love.  We are commanded to love each other.  Yes, some people are easier to love then others, but still we are told to love.  Now there is a little word with a HEAVY meaning.  L-O-V-E.  It's one of those words that people say lightly.  It gets abused.  People toss it around and apply it to so many things, that it begins to loose it's intensity.  I love my husband. *smile* I love caramel brule' latte.  Is that the same kind of love?  Maybe sometimes...kidding.  Now don't think I am going to go all deep with this concept.  I've had too much caffeine and a huge pile of laundry waiting for me.  


Of course the word 'love' can have many meanings - but to sum it all up I prefer the word as a verb:  to have a profoundly tender, passionate affection for.


I love sunshine.  I love the sound of my children laughing.  I love the smell of my man after his shower.  I love the taste of my caramel brule' late right now.


Today I am thinking about my friends.  I have posted before about the value of friendship.  True friendship.  The word friend is another one of those words that gets tossed about.  Last week a friend of mine (we'll call her Sally) was, in my opinion, abused by one of her 'friends'.  Now I would argue that this woman is clearly not a friend to Sally.  If we follow the rule that 'friendship should be easy', then this friend gets a FAIL.  Sally left her friend feeling hurt, frustrated, angry, disrespected, confused, and betrayed.  Not cool.  I was hurt for my friend.  When she called me I could hear the hurt in her voice - so I did what I thought a friend should do.  I went to her house and listened.  I helped her with a bottle of wine.  I tossed aside my evening, my plans, to be a friend.  I treasure my friendship with her.  Hopefully she left that evening feeling loved and cared for.


In a time where we are all in such a hurry.  A time that is filled with competition,  deadlines, and what we "should" be doing", are we loosing sight of what is important?  Friendship. Love. Loving friends, and loving your friends.  


Today is about LOVE.  Be sure to tell your friends you love them.  I'm going to do that now...