Many in the world may not love us, but there is one who always will

Roses, teddy bears, chocolate and jewelry are the traditional Valentine's Day gifts. One Valentine's Day, a woman who throughout her married life had never received a Valentine's Day gift of any kind went to her husband and said, "Frank, for the past 35 years of marriage you have not only forgotten every anniversary and birthday but have never given me a single Valentine's Day gift. This Valentine's Day I want something red in the driveway that will go zero to 180 in 60 seconds."

He gave her a bathroom scale.

And poor Charlie Brown. He has always seemed to miss out. He waits at the mailbox for one Valentine's Day card. When none comes, he optimistically looks to the possibility that they have gotten lost in the mail, leaving him drifting with the hope that one day he will be buried with Valentine's Day cards.

Our attitude is sometimes the only thing that can make a difference.

A successful single woman visited her attorney one afternoon to make some changes to her will. Once satisfied with the new arrangements she turned to leave. Before departing the office, she turned to her attorney with one more request. "When I die, I do not want any of my pallbearers to be men."

He wrote the request down, but curiosity got the best of him. "Why only women pallbearers?" he asked.

Without missing a beat she spoke, "No man took me out when I was alive no man will take me out when I am dead."

Maybe you remember in elementary school filling out Valentine's Day cards for everyone in your class.

The most important people in your young life were certain to get a card. Everyone important in your life deserves a Valentine's Day card. Not an e-mail, not a Facebook post but a simple handwritten note to remind them you care.

A divine note written to all humanity holds these words: "God so loved the whole world that he gave ..." More than a banner at baseball game, this love note is all-encompassing while individually focused.

It reminds us that while there are many in the world who may not love us, there is one who always will.

A love note from the transcendent being pursuing the ones he loves the most when they had broken his heart.

Rob Hurtgen is a husband, father, minister and writer. Read more from him at www.robhurtgen.wordpress.com.