Valentine's Day

History of Valentine’s Day:
According to legend, the valentine takes its name from a young Christian who once lived in ancient Rome. Like so many of the early Christians, Valentine had been imprisoned because of his faith. Often and longingly he thought of his loved ones, and wanted to assure them of his well-being and his love.

Beyond his cell window, and beyond reach, grew a cluster of violets. He picked some heart-shaped leaves and pierced them to spell the words, "Remember your Valentine," then sent them off by a friendly dove.

But on the next day and the next, he sent more messages that simply said, "I love you." Thus did the valentine have its beginning. —Encyclopedia of 15,000 Illustrations
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OK, maybe you’re smarter than me, and you already knew that story, but I didn’t! I knew he was in jail, but I didn’t know it was because of his faith! It’s astounding to me the things God can use to teach us while we’re in such a place. Think about it…hundreds of years after this event, we celebrate what St. Valentine did! Others throughout history have also seen the most incredible advances of God’s grace in their lives while at the seemingly lowest points of life. The apostle Paul wrote much of the New Testament while in prison, and Joseph learned how to be the man God could use to save his people while both as a slave and a prisoner. Even in my own life, the times when I have grown the most, have been the times when I had the least amount of control over the events of my life, and I HAD to trust in God!

How about you? What “prison” are you facing today that God can use to make you and the others around you better for His Kingdom? Are you willing to trust God to lead you and use you, wherever and however that may be? Life seems to NEVER turn out like we plan it, but we can always know that our heavenly “Valentine” will be there for us!