As we enter year two of the pandemic, I and many others are dealing with loss and some degree of broken-heartedness. A trip through my local drugstore reminds me that Valentine’s Day is nigh,EN-US"> and I find myself pondering, are there Valentine’s for the broken hearts among us?

Symbols and metaphors of EN-US">lEN-US">ove EN-US">are aEN-US">ll around usEN-US"> at this time of the year, especially romantic love. The representation of love in hearts and chocolates always feels a bit over the top and antithetical to the ways EN-US">some of usEN-US"> show and express love in ourEN-US"> lives and ourEN-US"> relationshiEN-US">ps. How do you show love for the glory that surrounds you? EN-US">For me, cooking is an expression of love for my family. A walk in the woodsEN-US"> isEN-US"> an expression EN-US">ofEN-US"> myEN-US"> love for EN-US">the EN-US">planet and the natural worldEN-US">.

But what if you just aren’t feeling the love? Valentine’s Day comes in the middle of EN-US">a EN-US">darkEN-US">, snowyEN-US"> winter, when many are already struggling with grief and isolationEN-US"> and eagerly looking for signs of spring. EN-US">As I meditate on the losses I’ve experienced, they aren’t the kind thEN-US">eEN-US"> Hallmark aisles recognize. Is there a card for “I’m sorry you miss your longEN-US">-EN-US">distance friends and family!” Or, “Blessings to you as you recover from the loss of a colleague!” Or, “Congratulations on the loss of your job!” But these events are meaningful and hard and they change who we are. EN-US">AsEN-US"> IEN-US"> struggle EN-US">with the losses EN-US">I’ve experiencedEN-US"> over the past couple of yearsEN-US">, IEN-US"> find EN-US">myself asking “is love enough” to heal the cracks in my heart and soul?

My personal theology has always rested on an interconnected “three legged stool” of love, compassion and justice. One alone cannot stand.EN-US"> Love alone won’t change the worldEN-US"> and love alone can’t heal the brokenness and the broken hearts that EN-US">are part of living in a disconnected time where our health, our jobs, our rights and the rights of those we love are so precarious. EN-US">But doesn’t it feel good to know we are loved, even in the brokenEN-US"> momentsEN-US">?

Over the past few months I’ve been attending online worship at the church where I grew up. The minister ends each meditation with the words “I love you.” EN-US">In that moment EN-US">It feels so authentic. It feels like a ValentineEN-US">’s Day arrow straightEN-US"> to my broken heartEN-US">. It is a balm to the despair that this time has EN-US">visited upEN-US">on us as individuals, aEN-US">s a deeplyEN-US"> divided EN-US">nation and EN-US">as EN-US">an out of balanceEN-US"> world. Loving one another is something that faith communities are EN-US">built for –EN-US"> love is our currencyEN-US"> and this is a great time EN-US">to think about EN-US">whether and how we are sharing itEN-US">. HEN-US">ow are you practicing love, how are you sending Valentine’s to those in your congregation EN-US">who need EN-US">themEN-US">, perhaps despEN-US">eEN-US">ratelyEN-US">?

WE are the Valentine’s. EN-US">By our lEN-US">iving, loving, EN-US">and EN-US">committing to building true beloved community with generous heartsEN-US">, we are saving lives and hEN-US">elping to heal broken heartsEN-US">. EN-US">Just sEN-US">aying “I love you”EN-US"> out loud EN-US">may fall on the ears of someone who needed to hear EN-US">itEN-US">. EN-US">And chocolate. Chocolate is good too <3