I’m constantly amazed at how many people tell me that February is their favorite month. Why, I ask? For Margaret, its her Birthday. Others might have different reasons. Maybe they like the color red, or the shape of Valentines. Whatever their reasons, it’s their favorite. 

The one thing that stands out for me in February is the importance that is put on LOVE!!! Chuck Swindoll in a resent seminar expressed this meaning of love: 

I don’t believe I’ve heard it said much better, or practically, for that matter. Every Sunday night now for about 5 1/2 years I’ve had what I call Sunday Dinner at "MOM’S". It has always been a great joy for me to do this inspite of all the expense and work involved. The young people that come regularly, or even once, understand that I love them, and accept them unconditionally. When I read Swindoll’s statement above I understand why the kids know their loved when they come here. They are listened to not only by myself but by the other kids as well. Who they are as people is tantamount here, not how they look or how they wear their hair. Sometimes you will see dyed black hair with purple streaks through it, or no hair at all (its been shaved off) Those things just aren’t important. They are valued in and of themselves. Believe me when I say that not everyone agrees with everyone else’s opinions, because they definitely don’t, but still they, and their opinions, are valued as a whole. Every kid who enters these doors will receive a great big hug and a welcome acceptance. I try always to express to them that they are Very Special to God and to me. Many times I have people ask me if I ever get tired of having them here on Sunday nights. I can honestly say NO. I love these young people very much!! And I am not afraid to express it to them. It’s amazing what a huge hug and unconditional love will do for some of these kids. Over the years I’ve seen wonderful changes and growth in many of them, and it has been a real blessing for me. 

It was said by Harry Stage Sullivan that, "Love begins when a person feels another person’s need to be as important as his own." Love always cures people. And to the degree that we truly love and accept them, they are free to deal better with their own problems. It’s true that some people don’t know how to receive love very well, therefore they have a hard time believing it when it is shown. But none the less, our responsibility is to do the loving, we have to leave the accepting of it, to them. Love must be learned. Over and over again. The greatest happiness in life is to know that we are loved. Sometimes, for some people, it takes practice for them to know that they are loved for themselves, some times in spite of themselves, for who they are, and not what they can do for others. 

As this Valentines Day comes upon us I pray that all of you, family, friends, loved ones, clients, and past students, will reach out to those around you and take the time to remind them how very much you love them. You never know how much time you have to do it. And besides Valentines Day is a great and inspiring time to do it.