I begin and end my day with the same prayer. Please bless them and keep them safe and well, and wrap Your arms around them so that they will feel loved.

I am grateful for memories of sitting at the kitchen table and reading all of the Valentines that the girls got, seeing who gave really good candy and extra fun cards. I am grateful for memories of my girls all “dolled up” in pink and red and big huge bows in their hair, excited to give their Valentines to their classmates.

I am grateful for tart candy hearts.

I am grateful for beautiful new clothes in a gift bag that was the beginning to my day.

I am also grateful for a big fat chocolate cupcake with pink frosting and a gift certificate for a night out at the movies from my bosses.

I am grateful that I no longer dread Valentine’s Day. I used to get all tied up in knots because it seemed that everyone but me was treated so special on this day. I would let my misery work on me until I was so bitter about not receiving a card filled with beautiful handwritten words professing love for me, bitter about only receiving the Valentine fundraiser balloon/roses/teddybear because of obligation, or bitter because there was no acknowledgment at all. And it was even harder to face the day when this question was posed: “So…what did he do for you for Valentine’s Day?!” I was a very selfish person inside and let this ridiculous day get to me.

Every day is Valentine’s Day now. I am very blessed and loved.

And I am grateful that the Holy Spirit spoke loudly to me this morning through this prayer and the story of Ezekiel from my church devotions:

God, so often I find myself chasing after other things to fill the needs I have instead of running to you. I make gods out of things which lead me away from you and your love. Have mercy on me and forgive me when I am going in the wrong direction. Please guide my thoughts and desires to long for the things that will draw me closer to you, through the help of your Holy Spirit.

Give me charity toward others and grace to be merciful when I am wronged. Help me to be a light who shares the hope I have found through your Son, Jesus Christ.

Amen.