Love is a Choice Series
I always view February as the month of Love. I’m sure I’m not the only one that shares this viewpoint being that Valentine’s Day is smack dab in the middle of the month. Just about every store you walk into is filled with red hearts and roses giving you the impression that if you just buy what they’re selling you’ll experience love and romance. But we all know that’s not the truth since we weren’t born yesterday!
On Valentine’s Day in my house my man and I don’t go over the top with the celebrations. Perhaps because I’m a practical kinda gal that I don’t gravitate to red roses?? I mean, really, spending anywhere from $20-$50 is an awful lot of money to fork out on something that’s going to shrivel up and die in a week! I think I’d prefer to receive flowers on a day that isn’t Valentine’s Day; a day when it doesn’t seem obligatory. And chocolate….well, I eat chocolate almost every day, not just on Valentine’s Day! 🙂 And going to a restaurant on Valentine’s Day would be the last thing I’d want to do. Now don’t get me wrong, I LOVE it when my man takes me out to dinner, but on Valentine’s Day…the restaurants are packed. I’d forgo the crowds any day of the week!
But perhaps I do enjoy those things but I’m conscientious of my hard-working man. He’s got a double whammy in February because my birthday is just days before the popular Day of Love. I think my heart just wants to lessen the financial blow that those two days can bring to our bank account.
But regardless of how I celebrate or view Valentine’s Day, I still see it as a good thing and here’s why….
It helps you to focus on your relationship. It brings intentionality to your mind to build your love up whether it’s in affirming words, giving gifts, spending time with one another, serving one another, or in physical intimacy. These are all things a marriage needs and sometimes we forget that marriage is a gift from God. All the trying times, the pressures of life, the distractions that come our way can certainly extinguish the burning love and passion in our relationship. So, I see Valentine’s Day as a spark to help reignite our love.
And that’s what I’m hoping to do here in this series of Love is a Choice. I want to encourage you to be purposeful in choosing to love your husband no matter if you’ve been living in marital mundane or if the torrential storms of life have doused your flame!
What I’m covering in this series:
- Developing a Lasting Love in Your Marriage
- Creative Ways to Celebrate Valentine’s Day on a Low Budget
- How to Have a Closer and Passionate Marriage
“I found the one my heart loves. I held him and would not let him go…” Song of Sol. 3:3,4
Live a poured out life for Christ,
Jolene Engle
My husbands birthday is tomorrow. In years gone by we have downplayed V-day, but this year I am doing both days up pretty good!
I think this will be a very special time for us since it is not a ritual we usually follow.
So yes, Love Is A Choice. And some choices show it more than others. I challenge your readers to break out of the “normal” mold and surprise their husbands in a way they do not expect!
Yes Love is a choice. And I have sent you several emails before so you already know my story, but Valentine’s Day wouldn’t necessarily mean that much to me if “I” or the relationship was celebrated “just because”. My husband doesn’t celebrate this day. His reason is, he doesn’t need a man made holiday to tell him when he should or shouldn’t do something for the ones he loves….I GET THAT, however he doesn’t. If it’s my birthday or anniv he will buy me a gift and maybe we’ll go out but again wouldn’t these days be considered obligatory as well? He still isn’t doing things “just because”. It really hurts sometimes, but when we dated, I seemed important enough for a card. Then all of sudden, out the blue, he just decides “I’m not celebrating that day” really? Wow. The one day that actually forces a person to go out of their way to show love,appreciation,affection,admiration and he chooses not to…I have gone out of my way to do nice things for him, regardless of the day, some times he seems appreciative and others not so much..what woman doesn’t want to feel loved and adored by her husband? I have been married 15 years…I don’t know how much longer I can hold onto a lifeless, loveless marriage. Help Jesus!
Rocquin,
I’m so sorry you are having to live in a loveless marriage. A marriage like that is not the kind of marriage that God intended for His children. Your husband is in rebellion to the Word of God. If he doesn’t know Christ, then do your best to win him over by your conduct. (1 Peter 3:1) In the meantime, seek to please the Lord in your life and be still in knowing that you are loved by your King. God is not surprised by what you are going through. He’s with you in all circumstances and He’ll use your situation for good. (Romans 8:28)
Sounds like a promising series! Love is most definitely a choice and I choose it every day (and am so happy because of it).