Valentine’s day is celebrated every February. Couples and would-be couples exchange gifts and cards and people tend to put effort into spending quality time together. This is one way in which we can express our love and is associated with the romantic love between lovers, but this is only one aspect of love.

We can show love in many different ways and in lots of different relationships, such as with family and friends as well as a partner. Giving and receiving gifts and spending quality time together can be much appreciated and strengthen relationships, but it’s not the whole picture. To make any relationship work there has to be a continued effort and an element of self-sacrifice to put others first.

You may have heard this description of love read at a wedding or maybe seen it on a poster or a card:

Love is patient, love is kind.
It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
It does not dishonour others, it is not self seeking,
it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always
perseveres.
Love never fails.

Try reading it again, but insert your own name in the place of the words ‘love’ and ‘it’, sobering isn’t it? You may be surprised to know that this comes from chapter 13 in the book of 1 Corinthians in the Bible and is excellent advice for us to follow to improve our relationships with others. If you’d like more information on how to improve all aspects of your life through the word of God visit our YouTube channel, look at our other website content or contact us.