If you have never spent a Valentine's Day without a significant other, consider yourself most fortunate and spared from the inner torture that this holiday can bring.  Many (if not most) of you, on the other hand, have probably spent one or two (or more, like me) Valentine's Days single and looking.  If so, then you probably understand how I feel, and I can surely relate to you.  I have spent many a Valentine's Day desperately longing for someone with which to share it.  And trust me, any longing stored deep inside seems to rise to the surface on February 14.

Probably the easiest thing to do when you're alone on Valentine's Day is to gather up all the self-pity you can possibly muster, and then unload it upon all your non-single friends.  Maybe that way they'll feel sorry for you enough to find you a date, cancel theirs to hang with you, or at least share your pain.  About the only other solution that might come to mind is to completely ignore the holiday, but I'm sure you've realized that it just won't go away.

However, I am going to suggest (to you as well as myself) that you don't just hold your breath and dive into Valentine's Day, praying only to survive.  We singles seem to believe that the only way to spend a Valentine's Day alone is to focus upon ourselves and what we lack.  Instead, why not focus this unofficial holiday of love upon the One who created love?  The One who is Love.  Unlike Christmas and Easter where we typically celebrate the birth and death of our Savior Jesus Christ, Valentine's Day is not typically thought of as a day dedicated to God.  But on the holiday of love, who better to celebrate?

And if you think about it, God really makes a pretty good Valentine.  You don't have to go pick Him up (He's already there!).  You don't have to douse yourself in perfume or cologne or get all dressed up (He'll take you as you are).  He doesn't ask for candy or flowers or cards; all He wants is you!  So if you're spending [another] Valentine's Day alone this year, spend some extra time with God.  If you're feeling lonely, tell Him about it.

Believe me, I understand very well how depressing February 14 can be as a single Christian.  But I also know that it doesn't have to be so painful.  I encourage you to spend the day focusing upon God and His love, rather than our own desires. So if your only plans this Valentine's Day are to sulk and mope because you don't have a significant other with which to spend it, or even if you do have a wonderful guy or gal for the holiday, I encourage all of you to spend some extra time thinking about and praying to God amidst all your activities. After all, our Father gave us the most incredible Valentine ever in eternal life with Him. And all He asks us is "Be Mine"!