Many people consider February to represent the month of love. For so many people Valentine’s Day may be the only time they receive love and gifts. For others, this holiday will come and go and no one will acknowledge them.

It is natural to want to receive gifts and love, and as a woman, I totally get it. However, today I want to challenge you to look at this holiday and month from a different perspective.

In January, I attended a birthday party in which the host and guest of honor gave her guests one of the greatest gifts – LOVE.

Experiencing what I did that day really challenged me to think less about myself and my “wants,” and more about others and their “needs.”

The bible says that, God so loved us that he GAVE his only son (John 3:16). I am not asking anyone to give his or her child, because I certainly do not want to give mine. However, for those of us who confess to be Christians, if we never receive a valentine’s gift, we know of a great love.

God so loved that He GAVE and we are so loved that we can GIVE love.

This world is full of hurting people.  They are hiding behind the beautiful pictures they paint on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and all these other social networking sites. However, behind those pictures are deep hurts, wounds, low self-esteem, broken marriages, loneliness, depression and so much more.

Therefore, I challenge you during this month (if possible, every day) to be INTENTIONAL in your love towards your spouse, children, family, friends, and sometimes strangers. Intentional meaning, you will have to purpose in your heart to show love to others.

You would be surprised how a simple hello, a hug, an encouraging word, or a smile can brighten someone’s day.  These random acts of love cost nothing, yet few of us are intentional in doing it.

There is a song that I often hear on KSBJ called “Do Something” by Matthew West.  It says:

I woke up this morning saw a world full of trouble now, thought, how’d we ever get so far down. How’s it ever gonna turn around.

So I turned my eyes to heaven I thought, “God, why don’t You do something?”

Well, I just couldn’t bear the thought of people living in poverty, children sold into slavery, the thought disgusted me

So, I shook my fist at Heaven Said, “God, why don’t You do something?” He said, “I did, I created you”

That song really hits home every time I hear it. We all have issues we are dealing with, but someone needs your smile, your hello, your words of encouragement, your touch or your time.

• It may be a spouse. We can become so consumed with taking care of the kids, the house, the bills, etc that we neglect our spouses. They may just need a smile, a kiss, or a how was your day honey.
• It may be a friend. You may have no idea her marriage is in shambles. She may just need a hug, an encouraging word, or prayer.
• It may be a single mom from your church. She may just need someone to babysit for an hour so she can take a break.
• It may be your child. We can get so consumed with what they are doing wrong, and miss opportunities to encourage them when they are doing something right.

Life is choice driven. Being intentional in your love is a choice. That simple choice may transform someone’s life. Even if it does not, you will be the better person for doing it.

I do not know who it is for you, but I pray that you open your heart and allow God to show you whom you can intentionally pour out His love on today.

Comment below and share with me and others ways you are intentional in showing your love towards others?

If you liked this post, you may also like “The Healing Power of Kindness,” “The Greatest Gift,” and “Giving Thanks: A Lifestyle Not a Holiday”

~Keishawna
Image Credit: Image found here and modified with words by Keishawna