Love is a Miracle –My Valentine’s Day Testimony

Psalm 30:11 You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; You have put off my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness.   

What is your view of Valentine’s Day?  Just a man-made holiday with no significance?  An occasion to celebrate love and romance with your significant other or an occasion for a  “Galentine’s” dinner with the girls?  Several years ago, my plans were to celebrate with a romantic date, but God had other plans for me. 

In 1992, I had plans with my long-distance boyfriend, who had planned to come into town that weekend.  Because of the brokenness of my childhood, I grew up feeling unseen and insignificant.  It left me seeking love in all the wrong places.  But, unbeknownst to me, while I was seeking love, Love was seeking me.  In that season, God had been wooing me.  I was attending a church that presented God’s love and grace in a way that was different.  It was much more intimate and accessible than I understood before.  They also spoke of purpose, identity and the potential to serve God and make a difference in the world.  It was drawing me in, but I was torn between what I thought would make me happy and the new Life being presented to me.  I knew that I could not reach for what God was offering and hold on to that relationship at the same time.  Yet, I was still a rebel and did not surrender easily, but God knows how to get His target. 

When Valentine’s Day weekend arrived, my boyfriend canceled his trip.  I was hurt, disappointed and angry, but also freed up for the weekend.  There was an event scheduled for people interested in exploring their relationship with God and membership with the church and now I was available and excited to attend.  I attended the meeting and decided I was ready to move forward with making a commitment to God.  However, what happened after the meeting has forever stuck with me.  As I was driving home, God began to play a vivid account in my head of how He has been with me throughout my entire life, every step of the way.  Memories rushed back to me:  there were scenes of His protection of me during childhood and high school, ways that He helped me and provided for me during college, doors that He opened for me along the way and even ways that He had tenderly demonstrated love to me, while I turned my back on Him.  Jesus showed me that He had always had me under watchful care.  That Valentine’s Day in 1992, He captured my heart and has never let it go.  I now celebrate every Valentine’s Day with gratitude, joy and the warmth of His love in my heart. 

That is my story:  despite my rebellion, Love has been a Miracle in my life.  God makes me feel seen, significant and dearly loved.  His love soothed my broken places and He “turned my mourning into dancing.” 

Maverick City’s song, “Love is a Miracle,” beautifully expresses God’s love.  Here’s an excerpt of some of the lyrics:  

I was down in the valley, before love came and grabbed me…

Now, I’ve got beauty for ashes, I got joy for mourning, I got praise for heaviness. 

Love is a Miracle. 

I remember the voice that called me.  I remember when I said yes.  I remember You were singing over me.

Now I’ve got freedom and I’m dancing.  Love is a Miracle.

You took me from death to life… You called me out… You said that one is Mine.” 

Love is a Miracle 

(Listen to the song here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRkZj0UoK4A )