Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, and our world has quickly shifted from jingle bells, holly and tinsel to the buzz of sugar, spice and everything nice. Pink has become the new green as our holiday complementary color, and every department store has stocked its shelves with every loving word, glittery card and 10 foot teddy bear, and more than enough chocolate to keep the industry in business for years to come. Love is in the air for half the population, while the other half just can’t wait for this silly holiday to be over.
So, in honor of our dear upcoming holiday, what could be more fitting to focus on then what we dream as the most beloved love stories?
As a young girl, my role models were never teen pop stars or actresses that everyone watches turn scandalous. My role models came from my books – from the fairy tales. My role models taught me how to dream. I wanted to become these ladies – the ladies from my stories. I wanted to be so delicate that it would take hundreds of mattresses to protect me from the discomfort of a single pea underneath. I longed to be the girl, so exuberant and in awe of the world, that I would have the courage to give it all, come to shore and follow my heart. Nose piled up in books, I wished I could display such tender mercy that even a beast would soften his heart. I wanted to be strong, courageous, powerful, poised and, with every step, walking with grace. I wanted beauty to shine out of me from the inside out. I wanted to be a princess; a princess that, of course, deserved her prince.
I used to believe in fairy tales. In fact, I still may to an extent. We never truly give up on them, because a small part of us will always hope they were real. Recently, though, I have come to an amazing discovery.
I always expected that if I played me part, my Prince Charming was destined to come riding in on a white stallion, to fight for me, to protect me and to want to forever be by my side. Want to hear something ironic? Maybe Disney taught us more in these stories than we thought (or than even they thought).Revelations 19 paints the picture of Jesus’ second coming. The heavens open and the King of Kings comes riding onto the scene on, can you guess it? — a white horse; coming to claim His bride (the church) and fight on her behalf. Maybe this whole time you have been looking in the world for your prince, when He’s been here all along, knocking on the door of your heart. Just take a look at His creation. Every flower, every sunset and sunrise, every storm and every soft starry night is a gift to us from the Master Romancer, God, displaying His magnificently beautiful love in an extravagant way.
We are children of the most high God, Jehovah, Yaweh, Abba Father, The King above all Kings. Therefore, by all rights and privileges, we are His heir; princes and princesses. God has already written our fairy tales, and He plays the most crucial role—savior, protector, confidant, and leader. We are his bride, and he is forever our Prince Charming.
What in the world does that have to do with Valentine’s Day, you may say? Well, Valentine’s Day is all about sowing, showing and sharing love to the most important people in your life. We have been loved much by our Creator. So, shouldn’t we love much? Whatever your situation is this Valentine’s Day, make the most of it. If you have a special someone, do them a favor and don’t set incredibly hard to reach standards. That will only lead to disaster. And if you don’t have a Valentine this year, make the most out of this time. It surely won’t be that way forever. Guys, take your mom out for dinner! You are transitioning out of the nest, and that would mean more to her than you will ever imagine. And ladies, if you’re Valentine-less, treat yourself! Spend some time with God and let Him demonstrate just how much he adores you. And for all those involved, have no fear; Feb. 14 will be gone as quickly as it came. That is until next year.
