Valentine’s Day is one of those over-rated days. There’s so much hype to it that all of a sudden some females can suddenly get upset on this one day of the year if they don’t get what they expected from their man. He may be kind and sweet all year, but on this one day he is supposed to bow to consumerism and spend 5 times as much as he should on roses, dinner, etc. just because it’s expected. By all means, appreciation needs to be expressed, but this day has become way over-commercialized like Christmas. My husband and I dined on quesadillas and cheesecake by candlelight….and chanted, ‘we’re saving $50’….but then we’ve been married for 26 years! We save the restaurant meals for nights when we don’t have to stand in line for 2 hours in a noisy place and be miserable because everyone says we should do it on February 14th.
Singles have the hardest time with this day…especially females…. but to singles, I would say….CELEBRATE! This is a day when your peers might like you to believe you have not arrived…you are missing something…you are not complete. On the contrary, whatever state you are in, especially as a Christian you can be completely content. Unfortunately, too many complain no matter where they are in life. If they are single, they want someone. If they have a partner, they want to be single again, or they are miserably unhappy. Know yourself. Don’t compare yourself to another living person or give in to pressure to what others want you to do. Enjoy being with yourself! Singleness affords unique freedom and opportunities and builds a strength of character not found in those who ‘cling’ to relationships simply because they are ‘needy’…..(which has nothing to do with love and everything to do with ‘me’). Needy people are always disappointed people. They depend on others to be happy and to build their self-esteem, then they panic when things fall apart. They crave attention and if they are able to attract it, it boosts their ego. You do not ‘need’ someone to complete you. Needy people tend to control, manipulate, and often selfishly hold other needy people’s emotions captive. Break-up leaves everyone shattered, untrusting, and prone to 'rebound' in order to stifle pain. Emotional dependency is draining in every way. I can’t believe God wants us to live like that! The purpose of a relationship that is leading to marriage is for you to genuinely respect and build-up that person to the very best they can be….no room there for satisfying neediness.
Know who you are, live like it, and love it! You are complete in Christ, and if He has someone for your future, believe me you don’t want that person until Christ has made you into the person He wants you to be, as He works on that significant other to prepare him/her for you. You will very much need that strength of character if one day you enter into marriage, and you will be a much better partner than someone who carries heavy emotional and physical baggage into a lifelong commitment. Marriage counsellors state that it is problems within dating relationships that are the source of the problems that come up later in marriage. Freedom from all of this emotional stuff is freedom indeed. And it’s a freedom worth celebrating! Heck, why not go out and buy yourself a single rose and/or a little dark chocolate…that’s not too commercialized….and hey…you’re WORTH it!!!!
"This is your life yet somehow
They decide what you’re about
You learn your lines and take your cues
But who are you listening to
You change your clothes and how you speak
You change your clothes and how you speak
And place your hope in what they think
Before you know, there’s no more you,
Who are you listening to
Have you noticed how much ya fear
Have you noticed how much ya fear
All those voices you choose to hear
Who are you listening to
Who are you listening to
Who tells you what to do
Who rules your thoughts at night
And whose rules define your life
Oh, ya know it’s up to you
Oh, ya know it’s up to you
So who are you listening to
Who are you listening to
This is your life you have no choice
This is your life you have no choice
You will rely on someone’s voice
And it’s alright to question who
Who are you listening to
Do the words that you believe
Do the words that you believe
Set your soul and spirit free
Who are you listening to
Who are you listening to
Who tells you what to do
Who rules your thoughts at night
Whose rules define your life
Oh, ya know it’s up to you
Oh, ya know it’s up to you
So, who are ya listening to
Who are you listening to
There’s a quiet voice whispering in your heart
There’s a quiet voice whispering in your heart
It’s been there all along
It believes in you, it will tell the truth
Can’t you hear it call
Who rules your thoughts at night
Who rules your thoughts at night
Whose rules define your life
Oh,ya know it’s up to you
Oh,ya know it’s up to you
So, who are you listening to
Who are you listening to
Who are you listening to
Are you listening?????"
Ginny Owens - Who Are You Listening To?
