We were created for relationships, but that doesn’t mean it’s always marked by chocolates and roses. You may be single and loving it, divorced or widowed, happily married or unhappily married. No matter what your relationship status is, no matter how you’re celebrating Valentine’s Day (or how you feel about it) – you are LOVED by a good God in Heaven! He sees you, He hears you, He knows you, and He cares. His comfort trumps all the stuff the world has to offer. His love pales in comparison to every other kind of love. God truly is the best Valentine!

❤️

A few of my fondest memories of living in Sequim are the times I spent at Women’s Bible Study on Thursday mornings. I had the honor and privilege of teaching on a couple occasions, and God keeps bringing to mind one morning in particular.

We were going through the Wonderstruck study by Margaret Feinberg, and I got to speak on “The Wonder of God’s Presence”.

As I studied and prepared, I found a couple verses in The Passion Translation that talked about God’s wrap-around presence. I couldn’t help but think of a blanket. That His presence (His love) surrounds us, covers us, and comforts us – like a blanket. We are safe and secure when we’re wrapped up in Him. In His presence, we find all we need. He alone can satisfy those empty spaces in our souls. His presence – His wrap-around presence – is like a fluffy, oversized, fresh-out-of-the-dryer blanket.

God had told me to bring a blanket with me that Thursday morning to teach, to wrap around me while I read the next two verses, as a visual aide. I wasn’t sure if it was Him, and I didn’t do it. When I arrived that morning, there was a blanket draped across the bottom steps of the stage. Red and fluffy, much like the one I was going to bring. God had told our leader, Nancy, to bring it – and she did! I was in absolute awe and wonder of God and His goodness to provide. His grace is amazing, even in a small detail like that. And I will never forget the link between His presence and a blanket.

I encourage you to wrap up in a blanket and read these two verses!

“Those who trust in the Lord are as unshakeable, as unmovable as Mighty Mount Zion! Just as the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord’s wrap-around presence surrounds His people, protecting them now and forever.” – Psalm 125:1-2

“…For He is our only true Hero, God-wrapped-around-us as our Shield! The Lord will never forget us in our need; He will bless us indeed!” – Psalm 115:11-12

He is presently protecting us. He never forgets us, especially in our need. His wrap-around presence brings His love, joy, peace, protection, comfort, truth, and so much more.

(For the full teaching, click here.)

Some days I wrap a blanket around me as I read my Bible or write, as a physical reminder that He’s with me. He’s holding me. He wants to be with me. He loves me.

Every once in a while, my kids ask my husband to wrap them up “like a burrito.” He takes their blanket and spreads it out on the floor. They lay down on it as he rolls them across the room, wrapping them up. He proceeds to pick them up and set them on the couch. The best part – they sit still. For a moment anyway. The gentle pressure of the protective covering, the reassuring comfort of being held together. After a long week, there’s something special about being wrapped up like a burrito. (And it makes them giggle, which makes us all giggle.)

There are times when we need to be still, draw near, and get our hearts ready to receive what He’s speaking.

“The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.” – Zephaniah 3:17

God is WITH you, and He is mighty on your behalf! He takes great delight in YOU. He wants to quiet you with His LOVE, and He is rejoicing over you with singing!

Take a moment and listen – what song is He singing over you today?

There are two lines of two songs that I was singing on Tuesday…

• “You sang, my heart it woke up…” (You Came by Jonathan & Melissa Helser)
• “I have heard You calling my name; I have heard the song of love that You sing…” (You Make Me Brave by Amanda Cook)

Let His song wake your heart up today. Hear Him calling your name. Receive the song of love that He sings to you.

Today, on this Valentine’s Day, I believe God is saying “Be Mine. Be Loved.”

Beloved – there’s no better place to be than held in His arms, wrapped in His presence, covered by His love.