FEBRUARY – The Love Month

My Word of the Day is FEBRUARY – defined in Webster’s dictionary as the second month of the year – ordinarily containing 28 days, but with 29 days in leap years. No big deal. How did FEBRUARY make my Word of the Day list? Because I’m adding a definition from Donna’s dictionary – it’s the month of LOVE!

Oh, I know for so many this is just another month of the calendar and, quite frankly, all the hoopla about Valentine’s Day and all that mushy stuff is just not on your radar – but just maybe – it can become the month of love for you, as it is for me.

There are several reasons I don't take this month lightly. On February 14th, 1961, my boy friend (and 5 years later, my groom) and I went on our first real boy-girl date, chauffeured by his dad and mom to my church’s Valentine's Banquet. At long last, at the age of twelve years old, I, OFFICIALLY, had a boy friend! LOL! This month has always been the "Love Month" to me, and though my sweetheart celebrates it in heaven, I still celebrate it here....with those I know and hold dear.

My dear sis-in-law and her husband will celebrate their 43rd wedding anniversary on Valentine’s Day on February 14th. Another love-match made in heaven.

Then on February 14th, 2004, my precious mama got to go to heaven and celebrate Valentine’s Day with my daddy.

Of course this month generates thoughts to lovers and romantic relationships. But why don’t we take it up a notch and determine that February is a LOVE month for EVERYONE we encounter? Sometimes we get so caught up in our daily routines, we forget to let those close to us know how much we love and appreciate them.

Love is as simple as smiling at someone walking toward us, someone in front or behind us in the checkout line or someone standing next to us in an elevator. Sounds innocent enough, but what we really can be doing is secretly telling them “I love you” with that smile. And, if they smile back at us, let’s imagine them saying “I love you” back to us. That silent exchange may cause feelings to emerge that could transform their day AND our day.
“What the World Needs Now is Love Sweet Love” – thanks, Dionne Warwick, for that reminder, but thanks be to God for His example of LOVE: “For God so LOVED the world that He gave His only begotten son…” John 3:16.

Since February is the month for love, how about we make a commitment to “give our love away” – maybe in a love letter to those people in our life who inspire us, support us, assist us, feed us, nurture us, care for us, pray for us, protect us, laugh with us and cry with us? They have shared the magnificent journey of our life with us. Let's purpose to pour on the love this month....and let me start by saying "I LOVE YOU.....my FB friends and family. You mean the world to me! You make my world such a sweet place to love. You put a smile on my face and you give me so many joys! May you know God's love in tangible and beautiful ways....not just this month, but ALWAYS!"

1 John 4:7 "Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God."