good read

FEBRUARY 15

Valentine's Year

Be exhilarated always with her love. PROVERBS 5:19

"I really thought romance was something you did on special occasions like Valentine's Day and your anniversary. But you know, I think my wife might want romance a little more often."

You think?

Valentine's Day came and went yesterday. All over the country, beautiful cards were opened, heart-shaped candy boxes exchanged hands, and flower vases sprouted up on tabletops and nightstands. Last night, lingerie was worn and thrown on the floor where it belongs. And somewhere in the back of your mind, you might have given yourself some pats on the back for points scored.

Money in the marriage bank. "Okay, that's done."

Actually, though, Valentine's Day should function as a small reminder of the kind of romance we should be cultivating 365 days a year. It should help us see that the reason why Valentine's Day brings out the best in us - romantically speaking - is because it's something we mark on the calendar. We plan for it. We go to the store a week in advance to avoid that sick feeling of choosing from the picked-over cards left on February 13.

What if you were that thoughtful and deliberate every time you made plans to romance your spouse? What if you regularly flipped through the Sunday ads, seeing if there was something you could give her that would bring out a smile? What if you gave yourself the assignment of pulling off a surprise Valentine's Day in the summer or the fall or a week from Wednesday or a month after her birthday—not to give expensive gifts, but just to pick some ordinary days to do some out-of-the-ordinary things?

I hope your Valentine's Day was fun. But wouldn't it be a lot more fun if this became your Valentine's Year?

DISCUSS
What if you took turns doing romantic things for one another for the next 30 days? Share what would be fun and romantic to you. Set a minimum of each of you doing three to five things in the coming month.

PRAY
Thank God for His gift to you and for the love of your life—and for keeping your love life with each other from growing stale.