The greatest of all is love!  This makes love the most important thing that we can teach our children.

Jesus gave a summary of all God's commandments in Matthew 22:35-40 and Mark 12:28-31:

1.  Love God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength and

2.  Love your neighbor as yourself.

In this issue we suggest some specific and practical ways your can show love to those around you – and teach your children that True Love is More than just Valentines!

May the Lord richly bless your family for His glory.

Just as God loves everyone, so are we to love.

"You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul and with all your mind." (Matthew 22:37)

"The young women to love their husbands . . ." (Titus 2:4)

"Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her." (Ephesians 5:25)

 •  Love Busters.  Dr. Willard F. Harley, author of His Needs, Her Needs, identifies the most common love busters in marriage (or any relationship) as selfish demands, disrespectful judgments, angry outbursts, annoying habits, independent behavior, and dishonesty.
     In Dr. Harley's Marriage Builders website, you will be introduced to some of the best ways to overcome marital conflicts and some of the quickest ways to restore love.

•  The Marriage Series, 11 DVDs by Dr. S.M. Davis at solvefamilyproblems.com.

•  Family Life.  This large website, familylife.com, has many resources for a healthy marriage.

•  Fireproof DVD and The Love Dare book, a 40-day challenge for husbands and wives to understand and practice unconditional love.

"The young women . . . to love their children." (Titus 2:4)

•  See Newsletter #682 for practical ways to nurture and show love to our children.

"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another.

"By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." (John 13:34, 35)

"You shall love your neighbor as yourself." (Matthew 22:39)

"If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, and one of you says to them, "Go in peace, be warmed and be filled," and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that?" (James 2:16).

"If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them." (Luke 6:32)

Resource. Gospel Rescue Missions present the Gospel, as well as provide emergency food and shelter, youth and family services, rehabilitation programs for the addicted, education and job training programs, and assistance to the elderly, poor, and at-risk youth.  See a directory of missions and "Eight Ways to Truly Help the Homeless" (including precautions for your family's safety).

"But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you." (Luke 6:27, 28)

"Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth." (1 John 3:18)

Show love (and teach your children to do so also) in the following ways on Valentine's Day – and all year long!

Words are a very powerful way to express feelings.

The more specific your words, the more meaningful they are.  Tell your loved ones how much you love them, how important they are to you, and how much you appreciate certain of their attributes or actions.

Look for ways to express what is in your heart in either spoken or written words on a regular basis.

God used words to tell us how much He loves us.  We can use words in prayer and songs of praise to tell God that we love Him.

A traditional Valentine (or other occasion) card can be bought or creatively hand made (see free online resources below).

•  Find Christian e-cards at crosscards.com.

Establish the habit of saying something kind to each member of your family every day.

Maybe as you are saying goodnight, you could thank each one for specific contributions they made to the family that day, commend their acts of thoughtfulness and kindness, and tell them something you appreciate about them.

This can become a special time that your family will look forward to each night and can make a difference in attitudes and actions within the family.

Let your loved ones hear you praising them to others.

A hand-written letter can be (and usually is) kept and cherished for life.

Write to your husband, children, and loved ones to tell them of your love; your hopes, aspirations, and prayers for their future; etc.

Just a short to a friend know letting them know that you are praying for them and that you value their friendship can be a tremendous and needed encouragement.

If you truly love someone that isn't saved, you will want to give them the Gospel.

"For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes." (Romans 1:16)

Gospel tracts, such as Steps to Peace with God, and scripture portions, such as the Gospel of John from Pocket Testament League make an excellent aid in witnessing.

Tip: If you have time when sharing, read through the tract or plan of salvation (included in the front of the Gospel of John) with the recipient and ask if they have questions.

Time spent together focusing on your loved one, his needs, and his interests is a genuine act of love. Just being together is the best gift you can give to those you love.

In your family, this can be made a regular routine, such as:

 •  Arrange to drop everything and spend the first 10-15 minutes with your husband when he gets home or go on a walk together.  Do not monopolize the time with your concerns; listen to the report of his day.

 •  Schedule time alone, even 5-10 minutes, with each of your children each day.  One suggestion is to have a helper with you for each of your tasks such as cooking, laundry, errands, etc.  Use the time together to visit, talk about his interests, but especially to listen to your child.

 •  Invite a friend or family over for a meal or a neighbor in for a cup of tea.

 •  Visit a shut-in and ask him to share something about his life.

•  And don't forget to spend time with the Lord each day!

It really is the thought that counts – your gifts do not need to be large or expensive to be valued as a tangible expression of your affection.

Small purchased or handmade gifts that show your thoughtfulness could include flowers, a pen or pencil, a hair clip or piece of jewelry, a pot holder, a tool, a wallet, an item to add to a favorite collection, framed photo, bookmark, handkerchief, favorite food, etc.

Gifts can remind your loved one of your love for him as he sees and uses the gift.

For those in real need, a more practical or substantial gift would be appropriate.

"But whoever has the world's goods, and sees his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him?" (1 John 3:17).

Serving the needs of a loved one really shows that you care.  This is a mother's "job," but seen and done as an act of love will encourage your heart and lift your spirits!

Do one of your loved one's regular chores, run an errand, do something he hasn't had time to do, sew on a button or mend a garment, notice something he needs and bring it to him, etc.

Opportunities for service to those outside your family might include providing a meal, running errands, doing yard work, or providing child care for the sick, shut-ins, busy home-school mothers, etc.

 •  Hugs, kisses, and other shows of affection are appropriate for family members.

•  A hand shake, or hug for a member of the same gender, is appropriate for others.

Read more about the ways that you can show love to others in these three books by Gary Chapman:

Discover your, your husband or wife's, and children's love language with a short online quiz.

This Valentine's Day might be a good opportunity to talk to your children about the difference between real love between a man and a woman (e.g., unselfishly seeking the welfare of the other and committing to life-long marriage) and the world's use of the word "love."

Depending on the ages of your children, you might need to scale it down for all of them, and then have a more specific conversation with your older children.

Do not assume that Christian children, growing up in a godly Christian home, know about these issues.  You need to come straight out and talk about them.

For instance, most will agree with the concept of keeping themselves pure until marriage, but what exactly does that mean to you?  To them?  And how is that ensured?

One of the most basic rules of conduct for you and your children is:

Never be alone with a member of the opposite sex unless you are married to him/her or he/she is part of your immediate family.

This rule was common for all decent people, Christians or not, in our country until relatively recently when the practice of dating became common.  This rule:

•  Protects you and another from temptation too great to bear.

•  Protects you from abuse or harm.

•  Protects your reputation from false accusations.

•  Provides a good example so that others may enjoy the same protections.

Here are a selection of free online resources to help you enjoy Valentine's Day.

Home Educator's Association of Virginia has provided a Homeschool Science "Heart" Unit Study to teach your children how to care for their hearts – physically and spiritually. Includes many activities and links.

Marie Rippel at All About Learning Press has provided free printables and learning activities:
•   Punny Valentines – An Introduction to Puns
•   Rhyming with Candy Hearts

•  Valentine's Day Teaching Resources.  Resources to encourage children to love Jesus most of all – crafts, lessons, and ideas.

•   Many Valentine's Day activities, lesson plans, and more from The Homeschool Mom

•   How to Celebrate Valentines Day as a Homeschool Family

•   From Martha Stewart, dozens and dozens of craft ideas: How To Make Valentine's Day Cards & Crafts; Valentine's Day Ideas

•  Weaving Danish Heart Baskets

•   Bookmarks: Valentine Bookmarks (sewn); Paint Chip Bookmarks

Also see the 46 pins on The Teaching Home's Valentine's Day Pinterest page.