February is typically known as the Month of Valentines. It’s that magical time of the year when we dote on our loved ones. Maybe this year, it will be a beautiful bouquet of Roses. Or, perhaps the delicious box of chocolates is this year’s choice. I always preferred a hand-written note for my wife since I usually can’t find a card that really expresses what I want to say.
Even though I am blessed with a wonderful wife and family, I am burdened this time of year for those that may not seemingly have the same blessings of family that I do. There are many of us that are single. There are many of us who have recently lost loved ones. Many of us have families that don’t get along and fight. My heart goes out to those individuals.
What sometimes makes it even worse is that those who are single are often surrounded by co-workers and other friends and associates who are proud of their own relationships, but somehow it comes across as boastful. Unfortunately, despite our good intentions this only makes the loneliness of the individual standout more.
For those of us that are blessed with wonderful, loving, and caring relationships that we celebrate on Valentines, let us not forget those that may not be as fortunate. Let us be careful that we include them in activities and be careful that we don’t belittle them or think less of them because they are “single.” Society today seems to place a strong stigma on being “single” and I’m not quite sure why? I think our Society sometimes pressures a single person into jumping into a relationship they probably shouldn’t, just so they won’t be single any longer. I fully believe this pressure is one contributing factor to our high Divorce rate. Those that are single are sometimes unfairly looked upon as less desirable or unacceptable. I believe it is far better not to be in a relationship at all and be single, than be in a harmful relationship only so that Society will not look down upon you.
Loneliness is a terrible thing. Loneliness is a strong emotion that makes us sometimes make decisions that we wouldn’t ordinarily make. I would encourage you to stand strong. Be thankful for your own personal gifts and strengths. Believe me, you have some. Be thankful that you have not been pushed by societal pressure to make a decision you might someday regret. Be thankful of the person that you are and fall in love with yourself. Not in an arrogant, conceited manner. But, really fall in love with who you are; what you are about; and where you are in life. When you do this, the pressure to not be single doesn’t seem as unbearable.
"Lord, help me to always be aware of those that might be lonely, for whatever reason. Help me to make a difference in their life and to let them know that they are not alone."
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