Valentine’s Day is coming up, and many look forward to this day each year. But for others, Valentine’s Day is a tough day. You may be single and feeling lonely, or you may be divorced or widowed and feeling the sting of being alone. Or you may be married, but feeling unloved in your marriage. As an older single, I have to admit that I don’t always look forward to Valentine’s Day, but my perspective makes a big difference.

Instead of focusing on what I don’t have, I want to focus on what God has given me. I may not be married, and I won’t receive roses and a nice dinner or a marriage proposal on Valentine’s Day, but that doesn’t make me any less loved and cherished.

I am thankful, first and foremost, that God loves me dearly and promises to take care of me. He will never turn a cold shoulder to me. He will never abandon me and turn His affection to someone else, leaving me behind. He loves me unconditionally. I don’t have to worry about losing His love, even on my worst days. He will meet every need I have – not every want, but every need. He takes me by the hand and guides me step by step through life, protecting me from those things that are not His best for me.

I’m also thankful for those precious friends God has placed in my life – friends who love me and have my back, friends I know I can call on anytime I’m in need, friends I can cry and laugh with. I am loved. And I don’t want to forget that by focusing on my singleness instead of what He’s given me.

I plan to have a special “date with the Lord” this Valentine’s Day, and I can’t wait. God’s words in Zephaniah 3:17 are a great reminder of how much He loves and cherishes me: “The Lord your God is in your midst, a victorious warrior. He will exult over you with joy, He will be quiet in His love, He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy.”

If you’re dreading this Valentine’s Day, let these words from Zephaniah encourage you. You are loved.