See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! I John 3:1 (NIV)

The flowers kept coming in, one bouquet after another. And not one of them had my name on it. It was Valentine’s Day and I dreaded it. I was single and I felt like the day was going to be a taunting reminder of that.

I was happy for my coworkers who were receiving these beautiful flower arrangements. All the roses were fragrant and brightened up the office. But deep down inside I was hiding the truth: I did not feel loved.

I had to take my thoughts and feelings to the Lord in prayer. I could not let this day pass with me feeling this way because I knew with certainty that God loved me.

The Lord quickly reminded me just how much He loved me and it melted my heart:

The Lord hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee. Jeremiah 31:3

Jesus gave the ultimate sacrifice to show us all just how much He loves us when He died on the cross for our sins:

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16

And then there’s this sweet Valentine message:

I am my beloved’s, and my beloved is mine…Song of Solomon 6:3

I remarried a few years ago and I’ve received lovely bouquets of roses from my wonderful husband on Valentine’s Day. Crazy thing is, I’d rather have a new pair of shoes instead because they’ll last longer!

But if I never get another bouquet of roses again, that’s fine by me because I am loved by the sweetest rose of all – the Rose of Sharon (Song of Solomon 2:1).

Remember, you are loved!