LILY Letter 43: Love Month

February 1, 2022

I have sometimes wondered if Valentine's Day is worth it. For married people, it seems to be a time for crushed expectations and disappointment. Many complain that it adds pressure. For many singles, it is a poignant reminder of what they wish for and don't have.

St. Valentine was a third century Roman Catholic. Since the early middle ages, Valentine's Day has been associated with courtly love. St. Valentine was known for ministering to persecuted Christians in his capacity as Bishop. Legend has it that he was put to death for performing Christian marriage ceremonies. In that sense, he was a martyr for love. He showed us that love has a price, as we also learn in John 3:16, "God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son [.]"

Every one of you who has taken a chance on a marriage that didn't work out is a martyr for love in the tradition of St. Valentine. Every one of you that has wept over the grave of a lost spouse understands the real risk that we take in joining our life to another.

If you are not in a relationship this Valentine's Day and you would like to be, maybe ponder on the sacrifice of St. Valentine and why love is worth the price. Think about the risks you might take over the next year in the hope of receiving this sublime blessing.

In this world, all love ends in pain (unless a happy couple happens to pass away together). Thankfully, with our eternal perspective, we know that love goes on forever, and there will come a day when there will be no more pain and no more loss, not only pure and adulterated joy. As Jesus said, "be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." (John 16:33.)

FEATURED THIS WEEK

LILY Pod Episode 55: Single Status and Love Month

LILY Tube Video: What if this One Tool could Change Your Life?

KSL Interview on Studio 5: Love In Later Years—From Pain to Empowerment

Enjoy our new podcast on LILY Pod about how to thrive as a single person during love month (February) and any other time of year. Watch our video on LILY Tube that features our FSEEBO coaching model. All of these are FREE for you to benefit from. If you would like any extra support on your specific concerns, we would be happy to consult with you to see if we can be of personalized assistance through LILY Coaching.

If you enjoy this letter, forward to a friend. Our goal is to support as many mid-singles and later-married couples as possible!

To get a copy of "Intentional Courtship" on Amazon and create more love in your life in 2022, visit Intentional Courtship