Nothing Says LOVE Like When We Says It

Every year there is Valentine's Day. Most wives have spent time either pouring over the cards in the card shop or like my wife, making one. Most guys will be trying to find a store still open after midnight and will pick out a card in less than sixty seconds. (I actually picked one out that quickly once but hung around a few minutes longer just to make sure the woman nearby didn't think I was just a  heartless jerk going through the motions. And I really did get a nice card!)

And yes, those special touches, the gifts, nice dinner, flowers and cards are helpful reminders that our sweetheart is really special. But maybe we put a little too much stock IN an object to express our love when our spouse needs to be more the object OF our love.

So what am I saying about love?  Express it verbally. Yep, say it - often, meaningfully and in variety of times, places and ways.  Don't be like the crotchety husband who replied when asked why he never said "I love you" anymore, "I told you I loved you the day we got married.  That should be enough."

Really?  No, it's not enough. There is power in our words for good and bad. Say it on the phone, when you separate at the beginning of the day, when you come home, when you're being romantic, when you just need to. Hearing "I love you" is like adding fuel to the emotional tank of our spouse.  When we keep making healthy deposits into one another's health reservoir we help them build up a reserve that will sustain them through the not-so-nice struggles and disappointments of life.

It will be much easier for us to deal with hurts, disappointments and even conflict if we have a positive balance in our love bank. Saying the words helps stamp our feelings for one another more deeply into the recesses of our souls.

And we must remember that we can have short memories when it comes to being loved.  Love must be expressed, modeled and most of all said out loud.  Those three little words, "I love you," have the power to heal a wound, restore a heavy heart and poured renewed strength and energy into a troubled soul.

When will your next opportunity be to say "I love you" to your spouse?  Will you take advantage of it?  I hope so. Because we must never forget that the next opportunity will someday be our last! Don't wait.  Just say it - now.