It’s Valentine’s Day, just before closing. Dark, but glimmering with lights. Their eyes meet as the music plays on our senses. Atop the Empire State building, the breeze gently blows her hair. ”Are you Annie?” he asks. ”Are you Sam?” she echoes. The guard clears his throat and the moment becomes unbearable. ”We had better go” Sam declares. Seconds seem like an eternity until he reaches out for her hand.
Our hearts melt and the tears flow as this widowed man grasps the hand of the woman that he fell in love with through a radio talk show. Together they melt away into happily ever after. (Scene from Sleepless in Seattle 1993)
photo credit: leezie5
Inside I long for this kind of love. I dream about it. Even try to calculate and manipulate it.
But it NEVER happens like this. There is no such thing as happily ever after. The prince is not going to ride in on a white horse and sweep me away and, besides, I don’t even have glass slippers.
Hollywood and Disney have distorted and corrupted that which is called love. The truth is, real relationships…are hard. Everyone marries a sinner (Rom 6:23). Selfishness dominates our hearts and problems are inevitable.
But, somehow happily-ever-after invades the mind. Dreams of greener grass seem more reasonable and dissatisfaction sets in. It’s controlling lives. It’s killing marriages, destroying children, and scandalously driving souls into depression.
Many marriage experts are attributing much of our dissatisfaction in marriage to the over saturation of media.
They (romantic movies) help create an image of “fantasy love” that undermines the holiness and commitment necessary to build a solid, godly relationship with your spouse. ~David Boehi, Focus on the Family
This has been heavy on my heart as we entered February. In just 6 very short days, our nation will celebrate Valentine’s Day.
The trouble with Valentine’s Day is that it’s a give-me holiday. The whole purpose is to prove your love through thoughtful gifts or actions. ”What can you give me” is the question of the day. It’s certainly marketed that way. The pressure to please your spouse is extremely high.
Whether lonely and hurting or married and trying, the expectations that precede Valentine’s day make it virtually impossible for anyone to feel loved. Instead many are left feeling unsatisfied or broken. It might never be enough. Thoughtful gifts are quickly tossed aside as we covet what someone else got. TV jingles ring in our ears… “every kiss begins with Kay” and we deem ourselves deprived that our kisses don’t involve diamonds.
The truth…
God says life is all about how I love others through him. This includes February 14th.
Too many tears have been wasted on this lie. Too many hearts destroyed by this fantasy. I’m ready for a change.
It’s time to throw out the expectations and love recklessly, compassionately, and without hesitation.
Your turn~
What about you? Have you found that media offers a skewed view of love?
Kim Sorgius
Kim is just a girl, crazy in love with Jesus. She's a single mother of 4, a passionate homeschooler and life-long student. After teaching 8 years in public school, she traded her M.A. in Early Childhood for sippy cups and homeschool co-ops. Kim is the owner and editor of The Homeschool Village and Not Consumed where she encourages others to rest victoriously in the hands of God, rather than allowing life's difficult circumstances to consume.
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You go, girl! I’m tired of this cultural deception as well. So now comes the hard part, putting my convictions into action and giving to my spouse without expecting anything in return! Ouch! Thanks for the great words that I want to echo but also for the gentle nudge to truly love, Kim!
Acting on convictions is such a hard thing to do. I totally agree. We forget how great the benefits are! Blessings, friend.
Absolutely skewed.
As in most things, I think with love, the more you give, the more you get. The key, then, is in giving freely, with no thought of returns, as you say. Easier said than done for sure.
Definitely food for thought. Thanks!
I agree. It is easier said than done, but God will surely bless!
Loving God first is imperative! Otherwise we become empty & our love grows cold, ( as we chase after empty things!) Let’s figure out what pleases Him & do those things! Love & prayers, in Jesus, Cynthia
Absolutely Cynthia. We can only love because he loves us! Great reminder.