World Rules

Ignore the Gift Police

Whether or not he gets it right, just say, “thank you”.


Long considered a fun holiday for expressing affection, Valentine’s Day has fallen into the clutches of the dreaded “gift police”. They are telling men and women that only certain types of expressions of love are acceptable on this holiday. Others are definitely unacceptable. Men seem to be the targets of these self-appointed arbiters of appropriateness. Granted, many men are clueless when it comes to gift giving. Most of them did not grow up shopping. And, some men are actually careless and insensitive.


My concern is that Christian women not follow the women of the world by condemning their men for the gifts they give. If your husband brings a gift, he should not be afraid that you will be unhappy because he chose something the “gift police” have labeled “unromantic”. Sometimes a man’s only clue as to what to buy comes from the wishes you express in your daily life. If you have mentioned on several occasions that you need a new vacuum cleaner, he may think that is the best gift for the occasion. It will last a lot longer than roses, and be more appreciated in the long run. “Romantic” gifts sometimes threaten an already ailing budget, increasing stress for both of you in the weeks to come.

Often the best gifts cost very little. Would a gift measured in carats ever replace having your husband take the children out for an afternoon so that you can rest or visit a friend? Would it replace having him hold you when you are discouraged? Would it work for you if you received the sparkles and then were neglected for the next eleven months? Let us be sure that a spirit of ingratitude doesn’t threaten the peace we strive for in our hearts and homes. If you get no gift at all, be thankful to God and to your husband that the lights came on when you flicked the switch and the house was warm when you woke up.
Don’t misunderstand me. If I were writing to men, I would tell them to try to give the most beautiful, sensitive, romantic love offering they can find (and afford). But, I am writing to Christian women. Oppose the pressures of the world’s standards as you strive to live a life pleasing to God. Whether or not he gets it right, just say “thank you”.


©Tina Green 2007

What Does it Really Say?

True Love: A Real Valentine


A couples group was asked to read several versions of 1 Corinthians 13:4-8. The versions used were NIV, KJ, NKJ, AMPL, TLB, New English, and The Message. The group was asked to list what a true lover will do and what a true lover will not do. When the project was completed couples were asked to insert their loved one’s name and read it to their partner. This is their finished product.


Because I love you, ________, I will never give up on you. I will not envy you or become jealous of you. I will not boast about what I have done for you. I will not be proud or haughty. I will not try to draw attention to myself at your expense. I will not be conceited, arrogant, prideful, or rude. It will not always be “Me, first”. I will not insist on my rights or on having my own way. I will not be self-seeking. I will not be touchy, resentful, or fretful. I will not recount evil you have committed against me. I will not hold grudges or keep track of the wrongs I have suffered. I will not become easily angered or frustrated. I will not want more from you than you can give. I will not force my wishes upon you.

Because I love you, _______, I will be patient with you and kind to you. I will rejoice in the truth about you. I will protect you and trust you. I will always be hopeful about you and my hope will endure under all circumstances. I will persevere. I will endure and bear up under anything and everything that comes our way without weakening. I will ever be ready to believe the best about you. You can trust me. I will always want what is best for you. My love will never fade or become obsolete. My love for you will never end.
How about sending (or reading) this to your loved one on Valentines Day?

©Tina Green 2/2008