Top Five Ways to Love Your Sweetheart During Valentine’s Month
Traditionally, Valentine’s Day ‘season is the time to show your loved one you care. Check out these tips to put your best foot forward while keeping Christian principles in mind.
Shower her with consideration and kisses.
It’s a natural human instinct to desire to experience ‘feel goods’ by being physically affectionate with your sweetheart. While ‘chemistry’ is important, it is actually the least important dimensions of a lifelong relationship. Too often today in America, we base one of life’s most important decisions—who we will date or who we will marry—on physical attraction. But the Scripture tells us that there will be no long-term romance or passion without strong character or at least growing, maturing character that manifests itself by actions from an unselfish heart.
Respect Him and Yourself.
Most often, we give too much of ourselves, physically and emotionally, by choice, not by demand, assuming that attention from others will fill some of the ‘voids’ in our heart or in our psyche. But people who are secure about themselves are not needy persons—they are typically more giving and more considerate, because they are mature enough to ‘come out’ of themselves and focus on the needs of others. When there is inner security, there is a higher level of maturity, which indicates a clear and certain focus about life.
Find joy in the simple things.
Take time to write a card, bring a cupcake, a single flower, etc. to remind your loved one that contentment and satisfaction can be found in the ‘small moments,’ and do not necessarily depend on material wealth or ‘having arrived.’ The gift of a few minutes of your time, flowers, a box of chocolates, or a favorite magazine chosen just for your ‘special someone’ are just a few of the ‘little things’ that can make an unforgettable big difference.
Care by sharing.
Open up and share with your partner your hopes, dreams, fears, goals, and where you’re at on your spiritual journey. Only by being vulnerable and open to Christ and to receiving His love through others, can we be authentic with ourselves and those we love. As C.S. Lewis says, “It takes two to see one.”
Nurture Commitment & Trust
In one passage of the Song of Solomon, the Scripture says, “Place me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm.” A seal is used to denote security and protection. What is the fence of security and protection around a marriage? Commitment—a solid commitment—is the seal. If strong commitment at every stage is not there to ensure protection, then various things can penetrate the relationship, before and after marriage. So even as you explore beginning a serious, Christ-centered dating relationship, awareness of the elements that can erode trust is important.
For more tips on how to build and maintain lasting, healthy relationships, read “In Celebration of Love, Marriage & Sex,” by Dr. Gary Crawford, ISBN 978-1-60477-521-1.
Please take a look around our website or call 352-333-7700 x111 to join Crawford’s on-line chat group or to order single or multiple copies of the paperback ($14.95) or hardback ($24.95) version of the book for yourself, your loved one, or your study group.
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