Pastor's DeskWinter BluesPastor Marlene Ciranowicz
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Yes, it’s that time of year when cabin fever and winter blues begin to take hold. Many are tired of the cold and dreary weather wondering if snow or ice is going to delay us yet another time as we try to go to an
important event. Depression is very much heighten in winter months and it even has its own name. It’s called “Seasonal Affective Disorder” and especially strikes those who are sensitive to a decrease in sunlight.
I wonder if this is why Valentine’s Day falls in February as a way to help us through. Otherwise why not celebrate it in April or August or October? The history behind Valentine’s Day is a bit murky but did you know it is thought to have come out of the church over 1500 years ago. One story says there were three prominent church figures named Valentine. No one is sure which is the real one but honestly does it matter? What matters is what it stands for: Love! It’s all about love! In the stark and cold world around us, love makes us feel good, warm and fuzzy. Who doesn’t want to be loved?
And yet, there are many people who do not think they are loved. Their reaction to love is to degrade it, ignore it, deny it or even try to destroy it. But no matter how hard someone has tried, love still blooms, doesn’t it?
I think its because its roots are not in some saint named Valentine but in a man called Jesus Christ. The Bible is filled with passages about His love. “Greater love has no one that this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” Did not Jesus do just that for even while we were still sinners Christ died for us (Romans 5: 8)? This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. (I John 4: 10). How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God. And that is what we are! (I John 3: 1a)
No matter how dark life gets, remember God loves you! You are loved no matter how others treat you. You are loved so much God has made you His own. This Valentine’s Day show that love but not only on
Valentine’s day but every day! I truly believe love is the greatest evangelistic tool we have to bring others to Christ and what a love gift that is! And the best news of all is that we all have it! Now, all we have to do is use it because there is nothing like a loving act of kindness to chase the winter blues away!
Happy everyday Valentine’s Day! See you Sunday and remember to bring a friend!
Blessings,
Pastor Marlene
important event. Depression is very much heighten in winter months and it even has its own name. It’s called “Seasonal Affective Disorder” and especially strikes those who are sensitive to a decrease in sunlight.
I wonder if this is why Valentine’s Day falls in February as a way to help us through. Otherwise why not celebrate it in April or August or October? The history behind Valentine’s Day is a bit murky but did you know it is thought to have come out of the church over 1500 years ago. One story says there were three prominent church figures named Valentine. No one is sure which is the real one but honestly does it matter? What matters is what it stands for: Love! It’s all about love! In the stark and cold world around us, love makes us feel good, warm and fuzzy. Who doesn’t want to be loved?
And yet, there are many people who do not think they are loved. Their reaction to love is to degrade it, ignore it, deny it or even try to destroy it. But no matter how hard someone has tried, love still blooms, doesn’t it?
I think its because its roots are not in some saint named Valentine but in a man called Jesus Christ. The Bible is filled with passages about His love. “Greater love has no one that this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” Did not Jesus do just that for even while we were still sinners Christ died for us (Romans 5: 8)? This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. (I John 4: 10). How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God. And that is what we are! (I John 3: 1a)
No matter how dark life gets, remember God loves you! You are loved no matter how others treat you. You are loved so much God has made you His own. This Valentine’s Day show that love but not only on
Valentine’s day but every day! I truly believe love is the greatest evangelistic tool we have to bring others to Christ and what a love gift that is! And the best news of all is that we all have it! Now, all we have to do is use it because there is nothing like a loving act of kindness to chase the winter blues away!
Happy everyday Valentine’s Day! See you Sunday and remember to bring a friend!
Blessings,
Pastor Marlene