Are you loved?
If you feel loved, great! I'm super happy for you. For some people, though, it's hard to feel you are loved, especially when it comes to Valentine's Day. Take it from someone who's spent almost every Valentine's Day as a single person: it's difficult to feel you are loved if you are all alone, if it seems everyone else is part of a couple, everyone else has that "special someone" to call their own.
The thing that I'm realizing more and more about Valentine's Day, however, is it's not all about romance and being lovey-dovey and spending time with that one "special someone." Not to say you can't do those things on Valentine's Day and power to you if you've got those kind of plans, but love is so much more than that; it's way bigger than what we've made it out to be. Love is definitely hugs and kisses with your SO, but it's also responding to your mom's "Good morning," even when you're not in a talking mood at 7:00am. Love is listening to your best friend at lunch as she rants about the social test she just had. Love is tossing that stuffed animal to your dog for the millionth time. Love is a smile to a stranger on the bus. Love is treating others how you would like to be treated (1).
I'm going to ask again: are you loved? Absolutely you are! Regardless of whether or not you are in a romantic relationship, you have parents who love you, friends who love you, teachers who love you, coaches who love you, people you don't even know yet who love you. And I know you've heard this a thousand times but God loves you. He loves you so much! How do I know this? Because I love you. I may not know you, but I still love you because you are part of humanity. You have dignity. You have worth. You are one-of-a-kind. You are a child of God. Even if you're not part of the church, you are a child of God. He made you, with the help of your parents. He. Made. You. And as a result you are "very good"(2).
Tomorrow is Valentine's Day. I know it's easy to say the things above and considerably harder to believe them in your heart, even if they make sense in your head. If you do feel yourself getting down on yourself tomorrow I suggest reaching out to someone you trust and let them know how you're feeling. It sounds counter-productive, but the sooner you get those feelings out there, the less power they have on you.
Scary? Yes. Easy? No. Worth it? 100% yes!
And talk to Jesus. I know how weird that can feel, but He really does want to help in any way He can.
Wishing you a joyful, lovely day! Sending you love!
Joyanne :D