Share the Love

Introduction

February is known as being the month of love. A time for spouses, friends, and children to celebrate the love and care they have for each other. I remember as a kid the happiness I felt when exchanging valentines with classmates. I enjoyed going through the box of valentines my mom got for me and finding just the right one for my best friends. I wanted my them to know that I really cared for them. Even today, I enjoy looking for just the right card whether it’s for my husband, children, or other family and friends. I think everyone enjoys receiving some kind of card, gift, flowers or candy from a spouse, children, or special friends, showing us that they love and care for us.

Jesus tells us in Mark 12:30-31 “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all of your mind and with all your strength.” The second is this: Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than love.” What a better way to share the love of Jesus with those in your local shelter(s) by making cards as you celebrate each other this Valentines Day!

Program Ideas

• Hold a Valentines Party where the participants are encouraged to wear red, pink and white clothing. Serve “red” desserts, strawberry shortcake, raspberry Jello or brownies with red hots. Play some valentine games. Check the Internet for ideas
• Have a white elephant gift exchange or play bingo and use them as the prizes
• Make a list of all the ways God and people have loved you.

Service Project

Men and women in homeless shelters seldom experience any token of love on Valentine’s Day. A great way to show love to them is by making valentine’s day cards along with some eatable treats. Ahead of time, contact a shelter to gather information of how many people reside there. Ask the shelter when it would be convenient to distribute the cards.

Resources for Card and Give-a-way Ideas

YouTube: Search on “Homeless Valentines”

Pintress: www.pinterest.com Search on “Valentine ideas for Homeless.”

Pray for those who will be receiving the cards or treats. While making the cards listen to “People Need the Lord” by Steve Green available on YouTube.

Love One Another

First Peter 4:8 “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins.”

Mark 12:30-31 “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all of your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than love.”

In reading these scriptures I am reminded of a chorus “Love, love, love, the gospel in a word is love.” You can find the music and lyrics on YouTube. https://youtu.be/Pl4dniOLamM?si=GyOcpPUX_aiWp88x.

Wow! Above all-love! Jesus tells us to love God with all our heart, mind, soul, strength and to love your neighbor as yourself. What does it mean to love someone? Is love just a feeling? Do you only love your spouse or relatives? Can you love strangers? Of all the virtues for a Christian life, love is considered the most important, Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 13:13 “Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love.”

It isn’t just enough to love God. You must also direct that love outward toward others. I have heard it said, it is impossible to fully love God with your heart, soul, mind, strength, and not show that same holistic love to other people. Love conquers all. We hear that so often. Isn’t it interesting that people can speak this with their mouths, yet practice something completely different?

Do you think we live in a world filled with love? Of course not! Imagine our world if more people would love their neighbor as Christ loves us. When you love God completely and care for others as you care for yourself, then you have fulfilled the intent of the Ten Commandments and other Old Testament laws. According to Jesus, these two commandments in Mark 12:30-31 summarize God’s law. Let them rule your thoughts, decisions, decisions and actions. When you are uncertain about what to do, ask yourself which course of action best demonstrates love for God and love for others.

May this be the prayer of our hearts as we prepare Valentines Day cards, and treats for the men, women, and children who need it the most. Who do you know in this month of love, who needs the reassurance that they are loved by us, but most importantly, they are loved by Jesus.

Closing Prayer

God, please help us to be earnest in our love for others. May our love cover a multitude of sins and bring healing and restoration to broken lives to those in our community especially those that we will touch through the ministry of card giving. Help us to see others through Your eyes and to love them as You love them.