If you haven’t purchased anything for Valentine’s Day, then you are an American exception. (Or, maybe you are running behind?) 

Americans will spend about $27.4 billion this year to celebrate the people they love. 

That is a LOT of cards, flowers, and steak dinners! 

The statistic I found most interesting concerned the increase in spending. Americans will spend $6.7 billion more in 2020 than they did in 2019. In fact, I was in the drug store last week, and they were already stocking the shelves for Easter! They only had a few remaining gifts for Valentine’s Day. 

Have those words caused a mild panic amongst some of my readers? 

You might want to shop sooner than later. 

Google to the rescue 

I think spending on Valentine’s Day has been greatly impacted by our computers. 

You can google great gifts, click on the website, and be ready for Valentine’s Day in one coffee break. 

For those who don’t know what to say on the bottom of the card, ask Google for the best Valentine’s quotes. Here are a few recommendations from Country Living Magazine: 

From a few authors: 

• “In case you ever foolishly forget: I am never not thinking about you.” —Virginia Woolf
• “Love is friendship that has caught on fire.” —Ann Landers
• “Loving is not just looking at each other, it’s looking in the same direction.” —Antoine de Saint-Exupery

From a few “would-be” authors: 

• I love you more than pizza.
• Know why I have a library card? Because I’m checking you out.
• Are you a banana? Because I find you a-peeling.

Let’s just say not everyone is a gifted author. 

If you could Google God 

There are a lot of clever words in our world today. And we will always be looking for ways to express our gratitude and love for the people in our lives. God’s word has the perfect advice for us if we want to truly experience the best Valentine’s Day. 

Romans 12:9–10 is a Valentine’s message from God. The New Living Translation states those verses well, saying, “Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.” 

God would tell us not to simply buy messages of love. He would tell us to live them with genuine love. 

The best valentine to receive

The best love story ever written is the word of God. 

It began in Genesis, when God carefully made man, then woman—in his image. He breathed his life into theirs and gave them everything. He loved them. Sadly, they wanted more than he gave. 

When mankind sinned, God gave them everything again. He has always provided us a way to have a relationship of love with him. God loved his creation so much, he gave his Son. 

But, no love is ours until we choose to receive it. 

I wonder how many valentines will be given this week, but not received. It is always sad for someone when love is a one-way road. 

The best valentine to give 

We should be especially grateful for the love in our lives. To be loved by God is to know the most perfect love in this lifetime and then for all eternity. 

I’m grateful for all the people the Lord has given me to love and to receive love from. I’m aware that I am blessed and have a lot to be grateful for. But, I’m also aware that love requires one to give and another to receive. 

I hope all of us will give away God’s love to someone else this week. The Bible says, “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love” (1 John 4:7–8). 

The most important valentine we will ever give will be words that lead others to the One who is love. 

A happy Valentine’s Day 

When I taught second grade, we would spend time decorating boxes or bags for Valentine’s Day. We had a party at school, and everyone went home with messages from classmates. It was always a fun party because everyone was included. 

Most of us will spend some money for Valentine’s Day. We should also spend some time giving God’s valentines away. Not everyone has been included in his celebration. They still need to receive what he wants to give. 

I wish you all God’s abundant love this week. 

We are greatly, miraculously, and perfectly loved—now and forever, by the One who is love.

Happy Valentine’s Day!