The Key to My Heart

February has been the month to celebrate love ever since the Middle Ages. Valentines Day has become one of the most popular holidays among lovers and florists! The common symbols of Valentine’s Day include cupids, hearts, roses, candy, teddy bears, and words of adoration. Children exchange valentine cards decorated with current comic and cartoon icons. Adults have continued this tradition of card giving which makes this day, behind Christmas, the second largest card-sending holiday of the year. Cupids with bows and arrows represent Roman mythology. Cupid was the son of Venus, the goddess of love. The shot of the arrow would strike the unsuspecting desired person or god, making him fall in love.
As women, we all desire to be loved and accepted. God came, through the form of a man, Jesus, to met this need through the most intense act of love ever displayed. On this Valentines Day, as I reflect on my relationship with the One who matters most, I find myself asking the following questions:

• "Does Jesus hold the key to my heart?"
• "Are my affections turned towards Him and Him alone?"
• "Do I yearn for my Beloved Bridegroom, or do I long for wordly pleasures?"
• "I am fulfilling the Greatest Commandment, to love the Lord with all of my heart, mind, soul and strength?"
• "Am I learning to love like Jesus loves?"

For me, this Valentines Day, it's all about this kind of love. The kind of love that only God can give me. And when I truly love Him, and allow Him to love me in return, then and only then can I give that same kind of love away to others. Don't get me wrong. A girl loves a nice card, dinner date, box of chocolates or spa day. But I do not want to long for these things in such a way that they take the place of the One who truly matters. He alone is the one who fills my love tank -- 24/7, 365 days a year!
*The photo in this post was used with permission. It was taken by a very dear friend of mine Laura.