The Beatles had it right. All you need is LOVE.

With Valentine’s day mere hours away, people are rushing through grocery stores to buy their loved ones cards, flowers, chocolates, and stuffed bears. Some will have purchased their gifts weeks ago, others days ago, and as for the ever forgetful ones…they will be in a craze trying at the very last minute to pull something together before their loved one(s) realizes they forgot. It’s a constant race to stay in love, to hold on to love, or to obtain love. I guess calling us the human race is fitting.

This holiday, much like others, has become a commercial mechanism used by companies which take advantage of the average consumer mind. With this stigma in the air that you have to give something of monetary value, or give a gift at all, we lose the true meaning of love, and we rush it. Now, don’t get me wrong. I look forward to my box of candy hearts with the words “Be mine” engraved on them just as much as anyone else, but I do know the true meaning of love isn’t hidden inside of a tiny box full of sugar. That tiny box couldn’t even hold a fraction of what true love means.

I have sat and pondered many hours over love and what it means. To me, this will always come to my mind when it comes to love, not just on Valentine’s day, but on all days. I know that “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, 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.” Corinthians 13:4-7 This verse comes to mind for Valentine’s day and all days, because God knows no bounds with His love. He doesn’t show His love for us on one specific day. He doesn’t buy us cards and gifts to show us He loves us. He instead, sent His only son down to die for us, to die for our sins. This love rings true in everything the Bible verse says.

Much like the verse and like Him, we should learn to bestow love in its simplest form. Forget the flowers, cards, gifts, and chocolate. Forget the expectations on this holiday. Forget all the distractions blurring your vision, furthering you away from the truth of love. Turn your head away from all of those things, and just love without the baggage. Love wholeheartedly, love with forgiveness, and love from within yourself through what He has instilled in you. Just love.
“Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.” – Lao Tzu