Ah, February, the month of love and chocolate. I may not know the full history of St. Valentine, but the world has certainly figured out how to capitalize on it. Red hearts fill store shelves, chocolates promise affection, and cards attempt to say what our hearts sometimes struggle to express.

My first Valentine’s gift from my husband after we were married wasn’t chocolate at all. It was a puppy. We named him Nugget.

Now, I’ll be honest, a box of chocolates probably wouldn’t have hurt, but what sent my heart into a spin was this: he knew me. He understood what would bring me joy. Love, after all, isn’t always wrapped in foil and ribbon. Sometimes it shows up with four paws and a wagging tail.

That memory got me thinking about love, real love. And of course, that led my thoughts to God.

God’s love for us doesn’t look like anything this world could manufacture or market. His love came wrapped not in silk or satin, but in sacrifice. He sent His Son, Jesus, to cover our sins—freely, willingly, completely.

“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
—Romans 5:8 (NKJV)

That kind of love is not of this earth. It’s holy. It’s perfect. And it’s humbling.

Which brings me to a question that has been gently stirring in my heart:

How do I express my love to Him?

As I attempted to answer this, I turned to scripture, the source of all that is true.

Jesus Himself said:

“If you love Me, keep My commandments.”
—John 14:15 (NKJV)

Love for God isn’t expressed through grand gestures or seasonal sentiment. It’s lived out in daily obedience. It’s shown in quiet surrender. It’s revealed in the choices we make when no one else is watching.

I express my love to Him when I trust Him—even when the road ahead feels uncertain.
I express my love to Him when I open His Word, not out of duty, but desire.
I express my love to Him when I extend grace, forgive freely, and love others, even when I prefer not to.

Love grows in relationship. Just as my husband’s gift of a puppy spoke love because it came from knowing my heart. My love for God deepens as I come to know His. Time spent with Him changes me. His love reshapes my priorities, softens my edges, and redirects my attention.

February will pass. The chocolate will be eaten, the cards tucked away, the decorations cleared from store shelves. But love, the kind that comes from God, will last for eternity.

So maybe this season of hearts and flowers is an invitation. Not just to celebrate love as the world defines it, but to pause and remember, love, when rooted in Him, never goes out of season.