We love because he first loved us. 1 John 4:19 ESV
February has now become the month of love. No longer just a single day, on the actual day of Valentine’s Day, but in a lot of ways the whole month is celebrated by showing those you love how much they mean to you. Honestly, I think it is fantastic idea, but truth be told, our loved ones should know how much we love them all the time…not just on a day, or during a special month that society tells us to celebrate.
As a matter of fact, this has been something that I’ve wrestled with on another level for quite some time. It not only involves our spouse, but it also involves our kids, well…yours, mine and those we come in contact with.
For many years I’ve been blessed to be in ministry at a local church in South Florida. I lead the Kids, Women’s and Volunteer Ministries there and one of my all time favorite special events that we do in the Kids Ministry is our “Jesus Loves You Party” with the kids on the Sunday before Valentine’s Day.
Here’s what the Jesus Loves You Party looks like at our church;
- We decorate the Kids Ministry with lots of hearts, balloons and fun stuff (think like a regular party that you would go to for kids).
- We have goody bags and special treats ready for the kids.
- We’ll play fun little party games with the kids all centered around the message we are sharing that Sunday.
- We invite all the kids and their families to bring along their friends to church that day, because we know that once they get there they will hear about the most amazing LOVE story there is…Jesus’ love for them.
- Each and every little boy and girl that comes in on that Sunday will have the fun of a “party day” but will also have the seeds of God’s love planted in their sweet little hearts.
Here’s why we do that, there are too many kids today, even as young as elementary school, that are focused on the attention of others. You know how it goes; who likes who, who is the prettiest, who has the most friends, who has the most social media likes (YES! Even in elementary school), who wears the “right” clothes and so on.
Their worth and value in their “school world” is based on whether people like them and the attention they receive from them. Then when they move on to Middle School and High School it is even more important (to them) who has a boyfriend/girlfriend, who likes who, who thinks the other is pretty and before long the words of the world start to crowd out the first and most important love that kids need to know about, and that is that Jesus loved them first (1 John 4:19).
Which is why we’re taking back Valentine’s Day for our kids.
Yep, that’s right! We’re not going to be moms that sit by and let the world fill our kids minds with anything less than the truth.
Don’t let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers[a] of this world, rather than from Christ. Colossians 2:8 NLT
Start talking to your kids today about love. Tell them how much you love them, shower them with your affection, but don’t forget to tell them who loves them with an even greater love.
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; Lamentations 3:22 ESV
Also, maybe it’s a great time to start a new tradition in your home.
Why not consider starting a Jesus Loves You party with your kids?
You can find lots of great little party games online, cute coloring sheets, have some red fruit punch, cupcakes and balloons too. Go all out, this is an incredible opportunity to shower your kids with not only your love…but the steadfast love of the Lord as well in a new and fun way that I’m sure your kids will love.
I can’t wait to hear what fun you and your kids will have this Valentine’s Day!
Seeking JOY on the Journey,
Melissa Mashburn
Melissa is a woman who is passionately pursuing God every day by taking her everyday, ordinary life and placing it as her offering to Him. She is a writer, speaker, mom, Pastor’s wife, and trained communicator through CLASSeminars. With her extensive background in Womens and Kids Ministry Melissa has a passion to lead women to “keep it real” in their lives, families, and ministries. Melissa is married to Matt, her best friend, for 20 years and the proud mama to two teenage boys, Nick & Bailey. When she’s not running around wearing the many hats that God has given her, she likes to sit in her favorite comfy chair in their quiet room and relax with a great book and a giant cup of coffee. You can find her online; Twitter, Facebook, or on her blog, Melissa Mashburn: Real Women, Real Life, Real Faith.
- Ch…ch…ch…CHANGES Are Coming in 2017 for TMI - December 27, 2016
- What New Thing Are You Ready to See God Do in Your Life in 2017? - December 26, 2016
- Heaviness and Newness - December 23, 2016
