Your Last Valentine's Day?

What if you knew that this would be your final Valentine's Day on earth? Would you celebrate it differently? Would you make sure that your spouse or children clearly knew how much you loved them. If so, how would you do that?

We just don't know how much time we have in this life. So each day is a precious gift that should be handled with delicate care.

Recently my wife and I bought an Old English Sheepdog from a committed Christian man named John Dieter from Iowa. He had a ministry that helped Jewish people to immigrate to Israel. He and his family members were involved in various missions projects around the world. Our interaction with John had been pleasant and very helpful.

But then several days went by without him responding to our e-mails and calls concerning our new puppy. Finally, my wife decided to Google his name to see if there was an alternative way to contact him. Right at the top of the search was the answer to why he hadn't responded. Only days after we secured the deal with him for our dog, John died of a sudden aortic aneurysm.

He was only 49-years-old.

Ironically, the next morning my wife received an e-mail from a friend talking about the fragility of life and how we need to tell the people close to us how much we love them. (I don't know who wrote it, though I tried to find the author online to no avail -- if you wrote this please let me know and I'll give you the credit). Please read this and then show and tell your loved ones that you care.

What if There Isn't "Anymore"?

One day a woman's husband died, and on that clear, cold morning, in the warmth of their bedroom, the wife was struck with the pain of learning that sometimes there isn't "anymore."

No more hugs, no more special moments to celebrate together, no more phone calls just to chat, no more "just one minute." Sometimes, what we care about the most gets all used up and goes away, never to return before we can say good-bye, say "I love you."

So while we have it, it's best we love it, care for it, fix it when it's broken, and heal it when it's sick.
       
This is true for marriage ... and old cars ... and children with bad report cards, and aging parents and grandparents. We keep them because they are worth it; because we are worth it.
       
Some things we keep -- like a best friend who moved away or a sister-in-law after divorce. There are just some things that make us happy, no matter what. Life is important, like people we know who are special. And so, we keep them close!

… Suppose one morning you never wake up, do all your friends know you love them?

I was thinking, I could die today, tomorrow, or next week, and I wondered if I had any wounds needing to be healed, friendships that needed rekindling, or three words needing to be said.

Let every one of your friends know you love them. Even if you think they don't love you back, you would be amazed at what those three little words and a smile can do. And just in case I'm gone tomorrow. I LOVE YA!!!

Live today because tomorrow is not promised. (author unknown)

I hope this will be your very best Valentine's Day yet -- and that you take this opportunity to make sure those who you love really know that you love them!

Valentines and Marriage Resources

A friend recently asked me to recommend some marriage resources. I thought this would be a good opportunity to share some of the things I have found to be a blessing to me in my marriage.

More from CBN.com's Valentine's Day Special

The Love and Respect Conference with Emerson & Sarah Eggerichs
Based on the best selling book of the same name.
Order the book on ShopCBN

The Marriage Builder by Larry Crabb

The Five Love Languages: The Secret to Love That Lasts by Gary Chapman

The Art of Marriage Video Series

The Smart Stepfamily: Seven Steps to a Healthy Family by Ron Deal

Tying the Family Knot: Meeting the Challenges of a Blended Family by Teri Clark

Forever My Love: What Every Man Should Know About His Wife by Margaret Hardisty

Restoring the Foundations Seminar with Chester and Betsy Kylstra

The Smalley Relationship Center

The American Association of Christian Counselors

The Lifeworks Group

Let Us Hear from You

Log in below and tell us how you said "I love you" in a special way this Valentine's Day, or some time in the past. We'd love to hear your comments.