Ecclesiastes 4:9-11 “Two are better than one, Because they have a good reward for their labor.10 For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, For he has no one to help him up.11  Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm; But how can one be warm alone?

If there is anything that 2023 has already taught me, it’s that we cannot do life alone. I mean we can try, but we weren’t created for isolation. We don’t thrive there. Where life takes on meaning is when we surround ourselves with true companionship and deep relationships. 

My amazing wife had a fairly extensive surgery this past month, which took around eight hours after they were able to get her blood pressure down to operative levels. We knew we were looking at an eight-week recovery, and I was ready to be her primary caregiver right out of the gate. But we had no idea how much we would need to be surrounded in the process! Our friends and family have brought food and flowers, gave us money to help with expenses and covered us daily in prayer. I’ve not once had the thought through this that I was alone! As I write this, we are now five weeks post op, and she is doing great!

When King Solomon wrote Ecclesiastes, he gave each of us some very practical wisdom to take to heart, and what better day to be reminded of the heart than on Valentine’s Day! It’s not only in our nature to love others, but to be loved in return. And that means that we have to be vulnerable with others…our guard has to be lowered. Sure, maybe the walls we put up help us against getting hurt again by others, but they also hinder us from fully being loved. And that’s not a good place to live. 

It may not be in a Valentine card, but be sure to tell the people you’re close to how much you love them today. From my wife’s journey, to friends recently undergoing surgery, to another receiving unexpected news of their spouse’s death, I’ve been reminded these past few weeks of how precious the moments are that we have been given to embrace. Don’t miss the chance you have today to tell someone, or better yet, show them how much they mean to you. 

If someone hasn’t already told you yet today, I love you! Just for who you are. 

Happy Valentine’s Day!