Married people, your spouse is more than just your permanent “valentine” …

If you’re single but in a dating relationship — especially a “serious” courtship — convention has it that you “must” observe Valentine’s Day.

In fact, some people try to get as much “demonstration” of love as possible out of February 14, kind of like the college student in this story told by Richard Blackwell:

“Every Valentine’s Day our campus newspaper has a section for student messages. Last year my roommate surprised his girlfriend with roses and dinner at a fancy restaurant. When they returned from their date, she leafed through the paper to see if he had written a note to her. Near the bottom of one page she found: ‘Bonnie, what are you looking here for? Aren’t dinner and flowers enough? Love, Scott.'”

However, once married, sometimes people begin to think of Valentine’s Day as “cheesy” and unnecessary, after all, they have their “valentine” for life! Sometimes in marriage, we let romantic love give way to a more functional partnership, looking at our spouses from an increasingly “practical” perspective, kind of like this husband in a story told by Sam Vaciek:

“Sam was chatting with his friend Ted. He asked whether he had bought his wife anything for Valentine’s Day.

“Yes,” Ted rapidly replied, “I bought her a belt and a bag.”

“That sounds good,” Sam responded. ‘I hope she will like them.”

Ted grinned, “Me too. I am hoping now that the vacuum cleaner will work better.”

Just because you’re married doesn’t mean that a delight and joy in one another has to fade now that they have become your “permanent valentine.” In fact, it’s especially your relationship with your spouse that should be a lifelong source of delight — at least, that’s part of God’s plan. Look closely at these words from the book of Ecclesiastes:

“Live happily with the woman you love through all the meaningless days of life that God has given you under the sun. The wife God gives you is your reward for all your earthly toil,” Ecclesiastes 9:9.

To pursue enjoying a happy life with the spouse you love is the greatest “earthly reward” you’ll experience. More than your children, your job, your income, titles, accomplishments, houses, material possessions, and even ministry, that “two united into one” in a deeply loving covenant relationship is your opportunity for this life’s greatest delight.

In that case, celebrate the love you have on Valentine’s Day! Enjoying and delighting in your spouse requires intention and determination, so by all means grab hold of any opportunity to savor experiences of loving your spouse! Even make something big of your anniversary! And, as much as you possibly can, practice loving, and enjoying, and delighting in your spouse every day of your life … because she/he “… is your reward for all your earthly toil.”

Do you live each day thinking of your spouse as God’s earthly reward for you?

Scotty