Friends,
Valentines Day is right around the corner. The article below I wrote for Crosswalk magazine. I think you will enjoy it. Be sure to click on the link provided (at the end of the introduction) so you are able to access all 10 ideas.
Many blessings,
Lori
What do defying the law, performing secret weddings, healing the sick, giving sight to the blind, conversation attempts, and martyrdom have in common? They are all attributed to the multiple legends surrounding Saint Valentine, a Roman priest who was beheaded in the third century on February 14th.
Narratives tell of Valentine being jailed because he practiced Christianity in a pagan world and even attempted to convert the Emperor. Additional stories tell of Valentine healing the sick and restoring sight to his jailer’s blind daughter. The legend ends with Valentine writing the young woman a letter signing it Your Valentine, just before he was executed.
The origin of Valentine’s Day is rooted in strong faith and great love. A love that courageously chooses God’s law over man’s. Love that speaks life to the staunchest unbeliever. Love that is powerful enough to heal. Love that is demonstrated in action and conviction, not just words.
This is the love that caused St. Valentine to lay his life down for what he believed. Love, plus obedience, was the force the brought Jesus to the cross.
Valentine’s Day has come to be a day where we show affection and appreciation for family and friends. This day has the potential to be so much more than flowers, chocolate, and warm fuzzy feelings. It can be an opportunity to reflect God’s big supernatural love; a love full of grace, mercy, justice, truth, forgiveness, joy, and commitment. Love that is patient, kind, content, humble, unselfish, self-controlled, forgiving, protective, enduring, hopeful, and everlasting. In our homes we can celebrate the amazing love God has for us on Valentine’s Day and beyond. Here are 10 ways parents can use Valentine’s Day to teach children about God’s love.
Photo by freestocks on Unsplash
Click here to finish reading 10 Ways to Use Valentine’s Day to Teach Children about God’s Love
© LoriWildenberg. All rights reserved.
About the Author
Lori Wildenberg is a licensed parent and family educator, parent coach, and co-founder of 1Corinthians13 Parenting.com. She has written 6 books including Messy Journey: How Grace and Truth Offer the Prodigal a Way Home; The Messy Life of Parenting: Powerful and Practical Ways to Strengthen Family Connections; and her most recent book, Messy Hope: Help Your Child Overcome Anxiety, Depression, or Suicidal Ideation. Contact Lori for your next event or for parent consulting or parent training courses. Lori can also be found mentoring over at the MOMS Together Group on Facebook.
