Pastor Mark Lee of Vantage Point Church in Easvale

In the popular 80’s song, “Love Stinks,” the J. Geils Band sings, “And so it goes, ‘til the day you die. This thing they call love, it’s gonna make you cry.” At no time does this seem truer than during the month of February. While the greeting card industry bombards consumers with images of chubby, arrow-wielding babies, many people are left filled with dread at the thought of facing yet another Valentine’s Day.

It has been said that romantic love, much like nature, goes through seasons. If your plans for February 14th include crying into a pint of Häagan Dazs, you are most likely in the midst of a season of winter. Whatever your relationship status may be, love during this particular season can be hard and gloomy. And what do most people do when the months turn cold? They either move to a warmer climate, or they hibernate. But it doesn’t have to be this way.

While winter may appear to be a time of stagnation, it is important to remember that each season serves a purpose. During the cold of winter, the earth is getting ready for the spring. And while it may be hard to see on the surface, beneath the ground the roots are growing deeper and stronger. The same can be said for love. Instead of hibernating, embrace this season of difficulty for what it is: A period of preparation.

Ecclesiastes 3:1 says, “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.” If your season of preparation is lasting longer than you had hoped, don’t give up. Spring is right around the corner and the blessings are greater than you could ever imagine!

Vantage Point Church meets at Roosevelt High School on Sundays at 8:30 a.m., 10 a.m., and 11:30 a.m.