Valentine’s Day Outreach For The Lonely And Broken-Hearted

Valentine’s Day is coming up in less than a month and for many it is a sad, lonely day. For the widowed and divorced, it brings feelings of sadness and longing for the love that is lost. For the single and unmarried, it can be hard as they are painfully aware of their  unrealized hopes and dreams. The lonely on this day range from teenagers, to the aged in a convalescent home. Feeling unloved, can apply to kids in the foster care system, or someone who is home bound because of disability. Feeling sad on Valentine’s Day is  not just a female thing. I’ve heard from teen boys, as well as grown men. The need to feel loved and cared for is universal to us all. Valentine’s Day does not just have to be about romantic love.

The first few years after I was divorced, I really felt the stab of being alone on Valentine’s Day. What I chose to do instead of dwelling on my sadness and feelings of rejection, was to reach out and let others know that they were loved. I had always done this, even when I was married, but it became more of a mission after I was divorced. I tried to take the focus from myself and all the sad feelings I had, and  tried to let others know that they were loved. I won’t say that it totally took the sting away, but it did give me something else to focus on besides the pain of the day.

Because of my ministry to  the broken-hearted, I know there are many that are already dreading this day. The reminders are all around in the media, in  the stores, etc. The Lord has really impressed on my heart an idea that I would love to see spread like wild-fire around the world.

The best way to help yourself is to help others and that’s what I would like to see people do for this Valentine’s Day. Instead of staying home and feeling miserable on the 14th, do something for someone else. You can start planning now. I think this idea is great for the those who will be alone on Valentine’s Day, but this is something that churches, youth groups, Bible studies, life groups,groups on school campuses and other organizations can pick up on as well.

For an individual, there is distraction and comfort in planning and executing, what you will do leading up to  Valentine’s Day. For groups, you have time to put something together by starting now. What I propose is this…there are kids in foster care that need to know that they are loved and that they matter to someone. There are lonely people  in nursing homes and V.A. hospitals, who do not think they matter to anyone. There are single parents and the widowed who feel the loss of what they used to have. There are people who are home bound due to illness, injury or disability who never receive visitors or words of care or affection.  There are teens who are bullied or possibly neglected at home… they just need to know that they matter in this world and that someone thinks they are beautiful.

This can be a day to share the love of God with so many that are lonely. Until you’ve walked in those shoes, you cannot imagine the impact a card, a meal, a visit, meeting a need, taking care of a project around their home, receiving a gift or flowers can make on someone who never receives those things. So, I want to challenge you for this Valentine’s Day, look beyond yourself. If you are lonely, you know the feelings all to well. So, reach out and help someone else to feel loved.  For groups, couples, families, churches…reach out and share love anywhere you can! Take on multiple people or groups or projects. Send cards, do visitations, prepare a meal or a gathering, bring gifts. Let people know that they matter and that they are not alone!!  I have come to know first hand,  there are millions of people around the world who are dealing with broken hearts, loneliness, feeling unloved and unwanted. You won’t have to go searching for people to reach out to…they are all around you.  So here are some ideas for people you can reach out to…  let  your creative juices start flowing and let’s start a tsunami of love that covers the world this Valentine’s Day! Please share this and pass it on.

Foster care facilities, youth facilities, orphanages
Children’s Hospitals
Hospitals
Hospice
V.A Hospitals
Nursing homes, Rehab facilities
Residential care facilities for those with special needs
Widowed
Divorced/Single Parents
teens
Homebound
Homeless shelters
Homeless on the streets
Singles
Military spouses whose significant others are away