It was my junior year of college and I shared an apartment with two roommates—one who was engaged and the other who was in a serious relationship.

I didn’t even have a viable prospect on the horizon and still wasn’t sure if I’d ever been on a “real” date (those constitute the guy driving and paying, right?).

Valentine’s Day was coming and I wanted to crawl in a hole and hide. All week long chocolates and flowers were delivered for my roommates. Their roses brightened up our living room and darkened my heart. I was jealous. Envious. Bitter. When they shared their chocolate with me I didn’t even enjoy the calories. It tasted salty—like the tears I cried when no one else was looking.

By the time Thursday night rolled around I was miserable. I was hosting an all-girls Bible study at my apartment that night and wasn’t sure if I really wanted the company or if I would rather sulk on my own. Although I don’t remember now, I’m sure I grumbled under my breath as I cleaned the living room.

As all of the girls arrived I couldn’t help but notice that Amy was missing. She didn’t come with her roommate, which was unusual. Just as I rounded everyone up to get started there was a knock on the door. I opened it to find Amy standing there with two dozen brightly colored roses—one for each girl there that night.

“You may not have a Valentine this year,” she said as she handed us each a rose. “But God sends you flowers each morning as a reminder that He loves you. It’s just up to you to open your window and look around and see them. Don’t lose site of that.”

Her words penetrated to the very core of my being. That night, when Bible study was over, I sobbed an apology to God for my ungrateful heart and bitter spirit. I chose to spend that Valentine’s Day celebrating His love for me. And I kept that vibrant red rose in a glass on my desk as a vivid reminder of my first love.

Oddly enough, it was one year later to the week, that I met my husband. God saw that day coming when all I could see was my roommates and their flowers and candy. I can’t help but wonder if He was looking down on me then thinking, “Don’t pout. Hang on just a little while longer. I have something great for you around the next corner.”

This Valentine’s Day I’m tempted to pout again. Not because I’m without a date (I actually have the hottest date in the world, and I’m married to him) but because something I desperately wanted hasn’t materialized. I’m holding an unrealized dream in my hands and trying not to be disappointed.

I’m sure you have your own unrealized dreams too, and maybe this year it has to do with your dateless status. But even when Amy doesn’t come knocking on my door (or yours) with flowers, God still sends His unwavering love.

This morning I read Ephesians 1:1-6 in my quiet time and here are five truths you can hold onto when your dreams are unfulfilled and your expectations are unmet:

1. You have a specific calling according to the will of God even if you cannot see it (v.1)
2. God has blessed you with every spiritual blessing and has allowed you the ability to have a personal and intimate relationship with Him (v.3)
3. God chose you to be holy and without blame despite whatever you may have done in your past (v.4)
4. It gives God pleasure to call you His daughter (v. 5)
5. You are accepted in Christ no matter who else rejects you (v.6).

So, if this Valentine’s Day is shaping up to be a bummer for you, read that passage of Scripture and meditate on the earth shattering truth that you are loved—very, very, loved—even if it doesn’t feel like it.

Tags: dateless, dissappointed, Valentine's Day

This entry was posted on Thursday, February 11th, 2010 at 1:21 pm and is filed under God, Life Lessons. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.