Message from Tim

Valentines Day

It’s a bit of a Marmite moment, isn’t it? I mean, it’s great for those who can be with someone they love on this special day, but for the rest of the world it is not a special day at all – anything but, in fact. Rather a day to be ignored. And if couples really love each other deeply, they won’t wait for 14th February to show it. So, perhaps it would be best for all concerned if we could just let the day slip by without making a fuss about it.

Nevertheless the date carries associations which can trigger emotions within us, either for better or for worse, and when that happens there is a natural inclination for us to become wrapped up in ourselves and our own feelings. Yet as members together in the Body of Christ, we are called to rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep. As we identify with each other in this way, we look beyond our own situation pray for others, knowing that others will also be praying for us, giving thanks for those who are in relationship and praying that their love would be deep and genuine and forgiving and selfless, and praying for those who are not in relationship, that they would know that they are still deeply loved and valued and significant, and that they belong.

Social distancing doesn’t help, of course, and we have no idea when it will end. Even those of us who have had our double dose of vaccine are still not permitted to take someone’s hand, let alone have a hug or a kiss. This requirement to suppress our natural instincts to reach out to each other takes its toll, not least because so much of our sense of who we are is grounded in meaningful contact and communication with other people. But we may learn to cherish the little things – to recognise that a smile, a letter, a phone call, a wave can convey so much. And a single act of kindness can breach the walls of depression – as much for the one who shows the kindness as for the one to whom the kindness is shown.

You may know the song written by Alison Huntley, with simple words that express a profound truth: ‘Thank you, Jesus, thank you, Jesus, thank you, Lord, for loving me.’ You may not feel up to singing it, but can I encourage you to whisper it as a prayer, because however you feel, whatever your situation, you are deeply loved by the One who went to Calvary to die for you and rose up from the grave to give you new life. So, thank you, Lord, for loving me.