“I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness.” Jeremiah 31:3.

Valentine’s Day has always been one of my favorite holidays. I love everything about this “love” themed day, from the pink and the red to the heart-shaped chocolates, romantic cheesy Hallmark movies, and flowers from my husband.

We had fun family Valentine’s traditions when our kids were young. We looked forward to a fancy table with candles, take-out from our favorite Italian restaurant, and sharing what we loved about each person at dinner.

Our affection for our family is profound and precious and the love we celebrate is rooted in God himself.

God reaches down toward us with kindness motivated by deep and everlasting love. He wants the best for us and is eager to give us His best if we let Him.

The prophet Jeremiah was assigned to warn the people of Judah and its leaders about God’s impending judgment of their sin.

But it is just like God to remind us of His magnificent love by tucking this tender verse within the harsh corrections from Jeremiah.

It’s like a breath of fresh air in a stern and severe admonition and a reminder that we serve a God of love.

It’s no different than telling our children, “There’s nothing you could ever do that would keep me from loving you.” It’s that kind of unconditional, everlasting love that a parent has for his child.

Except God’s love is greater still.

We correct, train, and discipline our kids because we love them. We can’t let them stay in their rebellion, so we do what a loving parent should do. We give our children boundaries, moral standards and household rules to follow and ensure they grow into kind, God-fearing, responsible adults.

God’s great love for his people, Israel, drew them to Himself. Scripture tells us it’s His kindness that leads us to repentance (Romans 2:4)

It’s his great love that sent His son to die for us and give us eternal life (John 3:16).

And it’s His commitment to loving us continually that guarantees us a new spirit and a new heart for following Him (Ezekiel 36:26)

This kind of everlasting love is exemplary, better than a heart-filled box of chocolates, and worthy of celebrating every day of the year not just Valentine’s Day.