Valentine’s Day is often fraught with emotional mines as it is a lovely day for some, romantic for others & painful for many.

Today, I thought we would take a look at this mind (not a misspelling) field. But before we do let’s grab a cuppa, a treat & get comfy.

As I write this it’s raining, a much welcomed rainy day for our dry land. It’s also a lot cooler so I’m having a home baked gf Raspberry Muffin with a mug of Russian Caravan Tea.

Now we’re comfy sipping our cuppa’s, let’s continue…

It’s a lovely day…

Here in Australia, Valentine’s Day is primarily seen as a Day for Romance. Many propose marriage, go on romantic dinners, outings or getaways to celebrate their love for each other.

In fact my husband proposed marriage to me on Valentine’s Day many years ago! It was a lovely day, although he’d describe it as not romantic because he doesn’t think he’s romantic (in the world’s ideal of romance).

His story;

He had been waiting to ‘pop the question’, after God had assured Him that I was the one, in the ‘perfect moment’ that he’d pictured in his mind but as time went by & that perfect moment hadn’t quite arrived, he blurted it out on Valentine’s Day, Lol!

But what he doesn’t realise is that he is romantic, in what’s romantic to me. You see after being left a widow by my late husband’s death to Brain Cancer, I prayed for God’s Will in my life whether that was to continue in widowhood or if it included a future marriage. I then asked God, if it was a future marriage, for a man that loved Him first & foremost, with the qualities of gentleness, love & loyalty. Qualities I hold very important in a spouse.

God graciously answered my prayer in my husband Steve for he’s the most loyal, gentle, loving & caring husband anyone could ask for! God did an amazing job of bringing us together!

Romantic Day for others…

Leading up to Valentine’s Day, advertising is all about the world’s ideal of love. The internet is full of suggestions for romance, for those who want to focus on the love of their life.

There are chocolate & Meringue hearts, Teddy Bears holding hearts & all manner of ‘hearts’ available. There are also symbols of love that can be given, Red Roses are especially grown en masse for bouquets to be delivered on the day. Then there’s romantic Valentine’s Dinner packages that can be purchased in restaurants, dinner cruises around the Bay or Romantic weekend’s away.

However, I’ve learnt that true romance is much deeper than the above symbols & it’s an all year deal, not just one day of the year but I’ll come back to this…

Emotional Pain  

I know many will be in emotional pain on Valentine’s Day too. As there are those who have lost their spouse to death or divorce. There are those experiencing brokenness in their relationship.

And then there will be many singles reminded that in fact they don’t have anyone romantically in their life at all & feel rather alone.

And in the parts of the world where Valentine’s Day is expressed to all, there will be those in emotional pain missing family members who are estranged or who have passed away. And the reminder of friendships that once were but are no longer.

For the emphasis on the ideal romance by the Media is vastly different from reality…don’t you think? 

True Romance

Let me come back to what I have learnt about true romance. You see my husband continues in his romantic gestures everyday, not being aware that he is (although I have told him but he just sees these things as loving me)! He does this by being who he is in his consideration, kindness, gentleness & support.

And I can tell you that in this journey of Chronic Health conditions, those qualities each day are beyond any romantic gesture that the world holds up as romance, for he is one amazing travelling partner!

And what I’ve also learnt having been through many of those scenarios on Valentine’s day from teenagehood to now, is that there is One who romances us every minute of everyday & we often don’t recognise His romantic gestures towards us.

Let me share the following scriptures that explain this;

“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, His mercies never come to an end: they are new every morning…” Lamentations 3:22-23

&

“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16

You see God loves us so much that He provided a Saviour in His Son Jesus to bridge the gap that had occurred in the Garden of Eden between mankind & Him. And continues to romance us every day through His new mercies!

What mercies you ask? Well mercy means special providence. And providence means that God constantly provides His love & protection in many aspects for us.

 A Thanks-living Sanctuary

I can think of many things God provides for me every morning which I’m truly thankful for & His love is a Sanctuary.

I’ll highlight the following examples;

• strength & energy (especially needed in this challenging season of chronic health conditions),
• His wisdom for the unexpected ups & downs that life often brings,
• a wonderful husband as mentioned above,
• a comfortable home that is also a little Sanctuary as shared in We all need Sanctuary!

And first & foremost a loving Saviour in Jesus, who has promised to never leave those who love Him;

“He has said, “I WILL NEVER [under any circumstances] DESERT YOU [nor give you up nor leave you without support, nor will I in any degree leave you helpless],

NOR WILL I FORSAKE or LET YOU DOWN or RELAX MY HOLD ON YOU [assuredly not]!” Heb 13:5 Amp

What an amazing God we have in our Heavenly Father & our Savour, Jesus!

Pause & think about all of the wondrous mercies God provides for you every morning my friend. Do you realise He’s romancing your soul? 

Until next time,

Jennifer

You’re most welcome to join me in The Reading Nook

or in Prayer

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© 2026 Jennifer M. Ross, All Rights Reserved. Photo by Jill Wellington on Pexels

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