Back in the days, there was an empire that banned marriages all together to grow his army with men. There were too many of them were getting married and it affected these men going into the army. There was a priest name Father Valentine that found this ban unjust and secretly wed young couples. The Empire found out about it and arrested him. While he was in prison, the young couples that he married secretly gave him flowers & notes as a symbol of their gratitude of what he did for them. It was believed that he fell in love with the jailor’s daughter. Before he died, he wrote a letter and signed it, “from your valentine”. He was sentenced to death on February 14^th. This became Saint Valentine’s Day. What a beautiful love story. Saint Valentine died for a cause. Is there not a cause? He did it for others out of love. Now that’s TRUE LOVE. Let me ask you this, when was the last time someone died for you? Thinking back on my life, I can’t think of one time that a person died for me because they love me.

But wait! There is someone that died for everyone! That is Jesus Christ. He died for a cause – because God loves mankind! Is this not a cause? Now, this is true love!

1 John 3:16 – For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the word, but to save the world through him.

 Don’t mistake love with roses, candy, and romance. True love is God’s love EVERYDAY of the year, not just one day on Valentine’s day.  This day does not have to be the most depressing time for Singles. Stop dodging  this day like a stray bullet.  Understand that this is a day of love- God’s love that is! Here are some things that can help you:

1. Change your ATTITUDE.  It’s a choice that you have. Choose to be happy and content on Valentine’s day. The battle begins in your mind. You need to change your mindset. Instead of conforming to the world’s way of celebrating this day with a person, celebrate this day with God who is LOVE.

Romans 12:2 – Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.

This day represents affection and love towards someone. What better way to express your affection and love to your one and only – JESUS!

2. Stand on His PROMISES. Fill yourself more of his word. Let the scriptures fill your heart that will bring you joy!

 1 John 4:16 – And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. GOD IS LOVE, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him.

Start worshipping God with songs. When you are caught up in worship, you can’t help but to have God’s joy and love overwhelm you.

3. Look AROUND. Instead of complaining about what you don’t have, be thankful of what God is doing around you. Let Him show you how awesome it is to be wined and dined by the Lover of your soul. No other person on earth will treat you as well as God can.

You need to open your heart to Jesus and he will show you how to enjoy life right now. Sometimes, you really need to stop and smell the roses! Why are you complaining that no one gives you flowers? God puts them all around you to enjoy. Maybe you need to take a walk so you can see what God has given you. Don’t miss out on your TRUE LOVE for this Valentine’s day.

1 John 4:19 – we love Him because He FIRST LOVED US.

My plan for life was to have a career, happily married with 3 children, house, dog and 3 cars. My American Dream! By the way, this was all to be done by the age of 30 years old. But that was not my reality. By the age of 30, I was divorce, alone, no kids, and no dog. However, I did have a career and a house. My point is that life does not turn out exactly how we plan it.

Everyone has heard the quote – 

“When Life gives you lemons, make lemonade”

  But I would like to take it one step further and add:

“When Life gives you lemons, make lemonade…AND Give it away for others to enjoy!

You may be wondering why I would add this. Well, let me explain this to you. In life, you will be given lemons. And some have lemons THROWN at them pretty hard. It can hurt when it is thrown hard. It could be things like a divorce, death, poverty, etc.

Now, we have a choice of what we do with these lemons. Many people will eat the lemons. Tasting a lemon is very bitter and sour. So, if we eat the lemons in life, it becomes bitter and sour to our soul. You may have heard of a “Pity Party.” Yes, that is what happens to us if we eat the lemons of life. We feel sorry for ourselves.

What we need to do with these lemons is to allow God to make lemonade out of life! He is the lemonade maker! Making lemonade is a process. The juice has to be squeezed out. God has to squeeze you so then he can add sugar (his sweetness) and water (Jesus the living water) to the mix. If these two ingredients are not added, you will just be bitter and sour for the rest of your life. Once the lemonade is made, don’t just have it for yourself. You must share it with others so they can be refreshed as well!

Do you know why I am able to help a lot of women that are hurting and broken? Not because I am a good talker, but because I share my life experiences with them. I am transparent, real and don’t put on a façade. When I share how I overcame life’s challenges, it gives other people hope that they TOO can make it. This also brings healing to my own life. It’s a win-win for everyone!

“Anyone who intends to come with Me has to let Me lead. You’re not in the driver’s seat; I am” – Matthew 16:24 (MSG)

When we truly give up our lives and follow Jesus, then that means our lives are not ours anymore. It’s to be shared with everyone else in making a difference in this world. That is why I wrote the book the “Born-Again Virgin”. It’s about my life journey as a Christian Single adult and the process God brought me through to be that Born-Again Virgin for my husband.

Mike was a Pastor when I met him. When he started pursuing me, I thought I was never holy or spiritual enough to be a Pastor’s wife. I ran from him. I ask God, “Doesn’t Mike know what kind of background I came from? Why would Mike want someone like me who had slept around with so many men?”

God brought me to the story in the bible of Hosea and Gomer. Hosea was a righteous man and he married Gomer, who was the total opposite. She was not only promiscuous, but a prostitute. That did not matter to Hosea. He loved her no matter what. This is the same type of love that Christ has for us. I knew Jesus loves me no matter what because that is the way HE is. So I didn’t have a problem with Agape love from God. But I couldn’t fathom that from a man. That is where God had to work in my heart to let me know and show me that Mike loved me no matter what my past was like. WOW! And the rest is history.

When you let God lead you and you surrender to His will, then life is refreshing like lemonade.

“When Life gives you lemons, make lemonade…AND Give it away for others to enjoy!”

 If you want to share your story with us, please email it to info@bavirgin.com