On Valentine's Day: What it is meant to be

Just as we exchange pleasantries and maybe gifts on some special days of the year e.g. We say HAPPY NEW YEAR (1st Jan), MERRY CHRISTMAS (25th Dec), HAPPY EASTER (whenever it falls), HAPPY BIRTHDAY/ ANNIVERSARY and so on, so also as 14 February becomes one of those days we say HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY! For florists, this is their biggest day because a lot of RED ROSES will be sold. For Card Makers and Chocolatiers too, there is gonna be a lot of bonanza in sales as romance is feted in the cities and towns (though not sure if that is the case in Nigeria ooo). But at least, those who sell RED clothes, shoes, belts, caps, e.t.c. will make so much money because many will be on TOUCH OF RED TODAY! Fortunately, today is SATURDAY, all the tourist attraction centres (Malls and Cinemas, Gardens, Waterfalls, Beaches, Game Centres and many more), even HOTELS, EATERIES and MAMA-PUT would make money today (abeg who dey come take me out ooo?) LOVE IN THE AIR, HOPE YOU CAN FEEL IT?

ON A LIGHTER NOTE Jesus sacrificially died for Love of humanity, Romeo of Shakespeare also died for Love of Juliet, Jack in Titanic died for love, Achilles & Hector in Troy died for love, Samson even died for love of Delilah in d Bible (All are MEN), WOMEN WHO ARE YOU PEOPLE DYING FOR OOO? For a CHANGE this year, please let WOMEN BE THE ONES TO BUY GUYS GIFTS and TAKE GUYS OUT! Please smile if you believe in LOVE! However, frankly speaking, these days, experience has shown that IT IS WOMEN WHO DIE FOR LOVE! MEMORIAL OF TRUE (AGAPE) LOVE Brethren, I am sure you know that today we celebrate the Memorials of SAINTS CYRIL & METHODIUS, who lived and died for the FAITH and expression of their LOVE OF GOD! I am also sure we know that VALENTINE is not all about what we have above, going out and exchanging Romantic gifts?
It may interest you to know that the origin of Valentine is not ROMANTIC at all- at least not in the traditional sense, but a subtle Promotion of Marriage! VALENTINE IS A SYMBOL OF TRUE LOVE, St VALENTINE was a Roman Priest during the third century when Emperor Claudius II ruled the Roman Empire.  Desperate to recruit more soldiers to his armies, suspended ALL WEDDINGS to encourage single men with no family responsibilities to enlist and serve in combat. FOR HIM, UNMARRIED SOLDIERS FOUGHT BETTER THAN MARRIED ONES! St Valentine, witnessing the anguish of young couples in love but unable to marry, decided to perform SECRET WEDDING ceremonies in defiance to the Emperor. He was later caught, beaten and imprisoned. While in prison, he miraculously restored the sight of his jailer's daughter, an event that made the jailer (Asterius) to become a christian. In appreciation, the little girl will always visit Valentine in prison wit a flower. And on the eve of his execution, he left a farewell note for her and signed: FROM YOUR VALENTINE! 
THE TRUE MEANING OF LOVE which Valentine represents IS SACRIFICE NOT LUST. The world celebrates today a man who gave his life to see the institution of marriage been kept alive. A man who believes LOVE should be given a chance, not Lust! A man who made SACRIFICE for love! WHAT IS OUR UNDERSTANDING OF LOVE TODAY? Is it all about sex, sex, sex that may lead to "Unwanted" pregnancy, numerous abortions and multiple deliveries in NOVEMBER? Like Valentine did, any Love that does not entail Sacrifice is LUST!

WHAT OUGHT WE DO? Couples should spend QUALITY and MEANINGFUL TIME with each other. FAMILIES should get together today. Children should call their abandoned parents or visit them. Lovers should define their Love today - Ask, where is it taking us? Engage your lover today!Remain in Love not Lust & God bless! Good morning.