For some of us, this day brings a slow ache. The fragile edges of that lace doily your kid gave you can feel like shards of glass scraping across your tired heart.
Every grocery store stocked with roses near the checkout, every card boutique with aisles upon aisles of cards and heart-shaped boxes of candy, every commercial for romantic dinner packages, every billboard talking about diamonds being a girl’s best friend, and the window displays of that one lingerie shop in the mall remind us of what we lack. They remind us of who and what we are missing.
Friend, I’m here to deliver this gentle but giant Valentine’s Day card right to your door from the one who calls you Beloved.
Yes, I’m talking to you, my widow sister.
This one is written for you, single friend and single mama.
For you, who wears the word divorcee across your chest like a scarlet letter — you’re included.
This letter is for you, little sister in your college dorm, wondering when your time will come.
I’m reaching out to you, the woman whose husband is deployed or distant or working in that other city today.
The God of the Universe sees you today in your desert place and cares deeply about your story. Just as the angel of the Lord found Hagar by a spring of water in the wilderness, He is coming swiftly today to remind you He is El Roi, the God who sees you.
And He calls you Beloved. That is your name, dear one.
He is your Maker and your Husband. He partners with you. He parents with you. He meets you with wisdom, instruction, and grace. He is your Redeemer, the one who brings you new value each day.
You are His bride dressed in white, walking the winding aisle of this life but anticipating the future wedding feast in eternity.
If you feel lonely tonight, remember Him as your first Lover. He is calling you: “Arise, my love, my beautiful one, and come away, for behold, the winter is past; the rain is over and gone” (Song of Solomon 2:10-11).
His love is steadfast and dependable. He draws you to His chest, and He delights in you. Let Him calm all your fears and insecurities today. He rejoices over you exactly the way He made you with every curve of your body and tender edge of your face.
Sister, if you are longing for a true BFF, our God is the most faithful of all friends. He’s the one who will sit with you at coffee and listen with His eyes. He’s not distracted by His phone or His to-do list. He is focused on you because He created you. He knows you. He sees you as His masterpiece.
You can feel freedom to confide Him, to present your doubts to Him, and to wrestle through all your questions with Him. He can handle you. You are never too much or not enough for Him. He surrounds you like a shield.
Friend, you are precious to our God. You are a Daughter of the King. He lifts your chin with His gentle, strong hands so you can see glimpses of His glory in each day. Crimson-colored roses and boxes of truffles are nice, but they pale in comparison to the sunset He paints in a kaleidoscope of colors for you each night.
He whispers love for you through those gossamer clouds sashaying across the horizon, through that baby girl you cradle in your arms, through the star-studded night sky.
He leaves the other ninety-nine to go after you. You are the one.
He drives out fear every moment with His love. He laid down His life for you. There’s no more romantic gift than that – a God-man who says you are worth the ultimate sacrifice.
Beloved, be loved today.
Dorina encourages women weekly through her Glorygram newsletter, which includes an original essay, book and podcast recommendations, and favorite recipes. Subscribe here. She also founded a Facebook group called Widow Mama Collective.
The God of the Universe sees you today in your desert place and cares deeply about your story. -@DorinaGilmore: Click To Tweet Leave a Comment
Dorina, I love this image of Hagar as Valentine’s Day encourager–the unseen, uncared-for woman who was given the privilege of hanging a name on God. Your words today remind me of Henri Nouwen’s writings about God’s heart for us and our need for His acceptance. He once said, “I kept running around in circles, always looking for someone or something to convince me of my belovedness.”
Thank you for offering hope today that puts an end to the running.
Michele, Thank you for sharing that Nouwen quote. A profound reminder for all of us!
Dorina,
This world touts buy your sweetheart a gift it’s valentine’s day. Marketing folks paint a picture of a married couples & happily ever after. That is not always the case. Thank you for writing this love story for the others. So many people aren’t living in the romance department. For the Christian every day is Valentine’s day. God sends His love letters in rainbows, sunrises & sunsets. Just look around you & see all the glory that He bestows on us. He is constantly wooing us back to Him wanting to shower us with the greatest love of all. Women can know they are seen, loved & wanted even in their wilderness. The God of this universe is singing over them.
Blessings 🙂
God put this one on my heart. I’m learning to see myself as His Beloved in each new season as well.
Dorina, your choice of words is astounding. This is so well written it brought tears to my eyes! Thank you so much!
Susan, I’m so glad it ministered to you. Bask in the truth of being His Beloved.
Dorina, this reminder that God sees me came at just the right time. I am married and lonely. My husband is distant. I crushed any expectations I had of him a long time ago. I just needed to say this “out loud” to someone today. Today I’ll be reminding myself of all I have to be thankful for.
Nancy, thank you for your transparency. These words are exactly for you. Consider them a Love letter from our Maker and Husband.
Dorina… He leaves the 99 because I am the one. You are the one. We are the one. Letting this profound truth sink a little deeper today. May we all sink deeper into God’s love. Yes, we are chosen, we are beloved. Amen.
Chosen, friend! Beloved and chosen! Basking in this truth myself.
This writing is what my heart has been longing for !
So beautiful so magnificent!
Thank you, friend! May you see glimpses of His glory at every turn.
Such encouragement, Dorina. To know that God sees us here and is with us in the suffering, clothing us with his incredible love to gently lead us through. I’ve watched you this week love so many others who are new to painful desert places, giving your own pain a place to bring much good fruit. It’s been a lesson for me to watch. xoxo
Lisa, I count it a privilege to serve alongside you. May we steward our stories well and gain strength from knowing El Roi. Love you, friend!
Thank you for this reminder. V-Day is so overrated I think. Why must we need to have one day to show/prove our love to the one we already claim to love so dearly. Should this not be an everyday thing? Maybe I am saying this as I am feeling a bit rejected. Bought my hubby a card and given it to him first thing in the in the morning. Upon arriving home, the card is still there on the counter, unopened. So yes that made me feel sad, a bit angry and disappointed. But I must remember that although this day is made to be so much larger than it really is, I will not let it steal my joy of what the expectations of love of this world is vs. what I already know of God’s love for me.
Oh friend, I’m sorry it was disappointing. Let’s bask in the truth that God’s love never disappoints!
He will listen with His eyes – I can just picture that and it’s so precious. I’ve always loved that name, Beloved, thanks for the reminder, I needed this more than I thought I did ❤️
Our eyes communicate so much, don’t they?! I love that God focuses in close on each one of us!