This story was published on Facebook before Valentine’s Day 2016. Unfortunately, the inspiration hit after “Holiday Biblical Characters” was released.
Today, millions of men and women will wake with a panicked heart or in a cold sweat. Fear will set in quickly as they try to meet the measurement of how much love they have for their spouses or significant others.
It’s Valentine’s Day. In my opinion, it’s one of the most difficult holidays known to humanity. The pressure of buying the right gift for Christmas or a birthday has nothing on the stress and misery Valentine’s Day brings. These feelings combined the words “measurement” and “misery” into “measury” for the title of this article.
It’s a tough holiday for those who have lost their Valentine to death, divorce, or disagreement. It’s tough on those who want to be in a relationship but just haven’t met that special person or haven’t been seen as a romantic possibility. It’s as if we haven’t measured up in some way or another, and love is leaving us behind.
It’s a tough holiday for those in relationships. It’s one of those holidays we never seem to measure up to. While many couples today will thoroughly enjoy their lover’s efforts, many will be frustrated by their gifts. The thought may have been there in one sense of the word, but the vacuum cleaner just wasn’t what she may have had in mind for a gift on this fine day. Of course, in this particular case, she could say, “This gift sucks!” I’m sorry, back to the matter at hand.
It’s a tough holiday for the person who isn’t normally romantic. Stress builds up as the unromantic sees the smiles of others as they beamingly share what their spouse or significant other gave them. Even if the recipient doesn’t say so, the donor feels inadequate for giving a “lesser” gift than someone else gave their spouse or significant other. The pressure is on to compete with other couples, commercials, and candy companies. It may actually be these romantically disinclined people that keep waffle iron and necktie sales at record highs.
It’s a tough holiday for the procrastinating partner. Somehow, the wrapped flower from the convenience store doesn’t have the “planned out” look to it. Offering the Hit Songs from the 40’s CD from the dust-covered rack in the gas station doesn’t demonstrate a well-thought-out gift selection either. Florists gear up for the last-minute rush, relegated to reluctant and remiss romantics as they try to make gifts and events look like they’ve planned them for weeks.
The advertisements and media bombard us with the thoughts to “measure up” for the holiday. If you really love this person, you’ll give a dozen red roses or buy something with a diamond. You’ll get kissed if your gift starts with the letter K or something like that. If you can’t meet those standards, the idea is that you don’t measure up in the amount of love you’re supposed to have for your significant other. Flowers and candy become routine, and people have to stress themselves out to find some semblance of creativity to appear “okay” in their love and devotion to each other.
Solomon, the third King of Israel, said this about related matters, “Come now, I will test you with pleasure to find out what is good. But that proved to be meaningless.” (Ecclesiastes 2:1) Talk about misery! It sounds like Solomon was having a difficult time measuring up to his Valentine! Of course, the same man also wrote, “You have stolen my heart, my bride… How delightful is your love, my bride! How much more pleasing is your love than wine.” (Song of Solomon 4:9a and 10a) It would appear his bride was measuring up quite well! After all, who wouldn’t want a wife who wines a lot?
So what’s the difference in the two Solomon measurements? Before you claim bipolar disorder for Solomon, let me say that’s not it. I should know. I once dated Miss Bipolar USA during my “single-again” days. I think the difference came when Solomon finally understood what true love is all about. Love and Valentine’s Day are not about the things you buy or the ways you attempt to measure up to your lover. It’s so much deeper, so much richer, and so much more life-lasting.
Later in biblical history, Paul, a follower of Jesus, wrote a letter to some people in Corinth that explained this so much better. It gave us a more accurate measurement for Valentine’s Day. Plus, this one works whether you’re in a relationship or not! He wrote: Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.” (1 Corinthians 13:4-8a)
Jesus said our love for one another is the distinguishing mark by which people will know we belong to Him. (John 13:35) Offer that sacrificial love that puts their needs over your needs. That way, today is a celebration of love for each other, not a day to measure the amount of love. So let’s not look at the value of the gift, but the worth given from the giver’s heart. That’s how we should communicate love in the first place. Love – now that’s a Valentine’s Day gift that can measure up, plus you don’t have to wrap it or put a bow on it!
I love you all! Happy Valentine’s Day!