Instead of the usual dinner out with our sweethearts, many of us will be going to Ash Wednesday services on Valentine’s Day. Instead of red we will be wearing black ashes on our foreheads. Is this a “downer” for Valentine’s Day? Here’s what I think.

As Valentine’s Day approaches many of us will be wracking our brains on what to give those we care about besides a card, candy, and loving wishes.

Of course, all of us have the ultimate gift of love. Our Savior, Jesus Christ, who loved us enough to live a humble life as a human being, suffer humiliation and beatings, drag a huge wooden cross part of the way to His own crucifixion, endure hours of pain, descend into hell, and then die. He then rose from the dead and ascended into heaven where we will join Him in ultimate joy. That is our Valentine.

Wouldn’t you like to share that Valentine! As Lutheran Women in Mission, we have to answer, “yes, of course!” Giving that Valentine message is what we do through our personal relationships, our zone events, supporting our district and national LWML mission grants and telling other people about them.

Why not give to your LWML District mission grants as a Valentine gift to someone you love? Let them know that they are important to you and you want to honor them in this way—to make them part of your LWML team. The team that supports the spreading of the Gospel—God’s Valentine.

All of our districts are coming to the end of their 2-year biennium cycle of grant funding. Some of them are still short of filling their goal. Please consider honoring someone with a Valentine gift in their name by giving to your district mission goal which will enable ministries and missionaries to tell about God’s Valentine for them.  

I first thought it odd that we would have Valentine’s Day and Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent on the same day. After thinking about it, it seems appropriate that we celebrate love on the beginning of Christ’s trip to the cross where He gives us the ultimate gift of love—an eternity of joy with  Him.

Happy Valentine’s Day to my dear LWML Family!

Patti