St. Valentine’s Day is a favorite feast day in our home. I say that about many of the feast days but being smack dab in the middle of a generally cold and dreary February, St. Valentine’s Day allows us to warm our hearts as we call to mind the greatest love story to exist.
That love story is that of the love that God the Father has for us.
As St. Augustine said, “God loves each of us as if there were only one of us.”
Despite the magnitude of God’s love, it is sometimes a challenge to equip our children with the knowledge that God loves them unconditionally and wants to be united to them on this earth and forever in Heaven.
The secular world has a skewed vision of love that is often selfish, full of rules, boundaries and limitations and, overall, the opposite of the true, benevolent love that only God can provide.
So, how can parents explain and show the love that God has for them?
One way is by reading the bible on our own, with our spouse and with our children. If God’s love for us is the greatest love story to exist, then the bible is the greatest book about love to exist.
It is especially important for everyone, especially parents, to read and meditate on scripture, as parenthood is at times extremely difficult.
I have found much inspiration, consolation and encouragement from reading the bible.
When we receive grace from God, we can pour out that grace onto others.
Here are some beautiful bible verses to share with children.
“For God so loved the world, as to give his only begotten Son; that whosoever believeth in him, may not perish, but may have life everlasting.” John 3:16
“You knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” Psalm 139: 13-14
“I have loved you with an everlasting love and so I still maintain my faithful love for you.” Jeremiah 31:3
“God is love, and whoever remains in love remains in God and God in him.” 1 John 4:16
“As it is, these remain: faith, hope and love, the three of them; and the greatest of them is love.” 1 Corinthians 13:13
“Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; He is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love Him and keep His commands.” Deuteronomy 7:9
The saints have also provided great advice to help children understand the love God has for them.
St. Gianna Bertta Molla said “Love your children. In them you can see Baby Jesus. Pray for them a lot and every day put them under Holy Mary’s protection.”
While this may be simple, it can be difficult to really show your love for your children when your baby is not sleeping through the night, the car won’t start, you’ve burned dinner, a boss is making work-life balance difficult, the home is in need of repairs, bills keep piling up and your children just can’t stop fighting.
However, as parents we must be a mirror of the love that God has for us for our children regardless of our litany of stressors that threaten to invade our peace each day.
As St. John Bosco said “it is not enough to love the young; they must know they are loved.”
When my husband and I first got married, we read the book “Five Love Languages” by Gary Chapman, which details that there are five ways in which people usually show love and want to be loved in return. They are words of affirmation, quality time, physical touch, acts of service and receiving gifts.
The book said that when it comes to children, it is difficult to find out which of these is their “love language” and, instead, it is best to fill up all their love language cups.
Never underestimate the power of spending time together, telling them how much you love how they did at school or a sport, giving them a hug or holding their hand, making their favorite snack or buying them a book or toy that they really wanted.
Meeting all their love languages can be done simply but with great results.
With that, here is a fun St. Valentine’s Day craft to consider. It is for children of all ages and will help remind them of God’s love.
I wish you and your family a holy and happy St. Valentine’s Day!
Christina Frye is a lifelong Rhode Islander, wife, mother and founder of Catholic Mom Rhode Island, www.CatholicMomRI.com.
