"Love is not a feeling in your chest."

I don't usually give much thought to Valentine's Day, therefore would never think to write on it. Consider this an exception.

I have no qualms with Valentine's Day. I have qualms with excessive commercialism, but it and the Celebration of Love are not inherently linked. What I like about Valentine's Day is the idea that there is a multitude making an extra effort to let someone/s know they are loved. Just like on Christmas, more people than usual are thinking about how God made himself like us and came into the world. Love and Emmanuel, the fullness of love, are glories we should always be mindful of and whose worth we should be demonstrating with every breath breathed. But I think it aids our human nature to have days like today set aside for remembrance.

The most common sort of love talked about today is the kind of husbands and wives, boyfriends and girlfriends. But if one is going to acknowledge the holiday, I don't think the love celebrated should be so limited. Which is why it's a day still applicable to me. And which is why this song, so fitting for today, is also applicable to me.

"For the Love of God" by Andrew Peterson

Yesterday we drove all night to Pittsburgh 
Jamie laid her head down in the back 
My little boys asleep beside their sister 
They’re the best I have 

I brought an old recording of your father 
He was teaching men and women how to love 
He carried on about his sons and daughters 
Growing up 

As we drove across Ohio 
At the dawning of the day 
I could hear the tune of truth was in his voice 
And it felt just like I knew him 
Though I never saw his face 
Maybe that’s because I know his boys 
Who live their lives 

For the love of God 
In the name of Jesus 
The groom who gave his life 
To love his bride 

I know you thought you’d never find a woman 
I never thought I’d have to write this song 
But here I am and there you are together 
After all 

You felt like you were buried 
In a city underground 
All broken bits and pieces of the past 
And somewhere she was searching 
On the surface of the mound 
She was digging for a treasure that would last 
Now she’s giving you her heart 

For the love of God 
In the name of Jesus 
The groom who gave his life 
To love his bride 

Now, love is not a feeling in your chest 
It is bending down to wash another’s feet 
It is faithful when the sun is in the west 
And in the east 

It can hurt you as it holds you 
In its overwhelming flood 
Till only the unshakeable is left 
“This new command I give you,” He said, 
“Love as I have loved” 
So brother, love her better than yourself 
And give her your heart 

For the love of God 
In the name of Jesus 
The groom who gave his life 
To love his bride

Happy Valentine's Day, friends.