On this day reserved for candy hearts, boxes of chocolates and whispered sweet nothings, it's easy to view the ones you love through rose-colored lenses. Somehow their hugs are warmer, their kisses sweeter and the twinkle in their eyes more endearing when they gaze at you.

It's funny how, for a 24-hour period, we suspend the "before" and refuse to consider "the after," as long as we are lavished with gifts and attention. Isn't it amazing, though, how God does that with us all the time?

I thought about that this morning after graciously accepting a bouquet of roses from my husband before sitting down for my morning devotion. Because it is Valentine's Day, I looked up the word "love" in one of my Bibles.

I was struck by the notations and references listed there, and how in none of these instances, the warm and fuzzy emotions we often attach to love was present. Instead, love was shown through loyalty, obedience and trust:

* Naomi and Ruth (Ruth 1:16) - Ruth, a widow, loved her mother-in-law so much that she chose to follow Naomi to her native land and to serve the God Naomi considered sovereign.

If you were young and newly single, with a chance to start over however you wanted and wherever you wanted, would you cling to your in-law, as Ruth did?

* Hosea and Gomer (Hosea 3:1-3) - Hosea, a man of God, had married a woman known to be a prostitute. After Gomer left her husband to return to her shadowy life, Hosea obeyed God and brought her back home. Despite her unfaithfulness, he loved her stubbornly.

Have you ever chased after someone's heart when they haven't wanted to share it?  Have you viewed the situation from a biblical perspective? God used Hosea's obedience to show Israel, His chosen people, that even as they sinned and turned away from Him, He was waiting, with open arms, to welcome them home. That same love from the Master exists for us today.

* Mary and God (Luke 1;26-27, 31-35) - Imagine the courage it took for Mary, the mother of Jesus, to love so deeply. She risked losing her fiance', had her integrity and reputation questioned and  watched her son endure a horrible death for people who took him for granted. To be chosen for this assignment and to follow through on it required an inexplicable love for God.

Valentine's Day is centered around romantic, ratherly than agape, love. But as we celebrate this day with those we hold dear, it's wise to put all kinds of affection in context to the Greatest Love of All. 

Jesus is the Master Teacher when it comes to showing us how to selflessly love others.

Loving his way allows the roses, greeting cards and other gifts we give and receive to serve as symbols of the love God continuously lavishes on us.

To follow His example requires that we take today for what it's worth while seeking to translate that love into everyday language. That way, the people we hold dear can always expect to feel special - on Feb. 14 and 364 other days as well.