Often, I have succumbed to the false promises of an impermanent world rather than strive for the heavenly treasures that God has made for me. Yet, earthly gifts provide satisfaction for only a short period of time before new desires spring to life in my mind. The world promises that happiness can be bought, or at least borrowed, through the acquisition of things, but that happiness is fleeting.
I suppose that this is also my greatest complaint about our current celebrations of St. Valentine's Day. I fully approve of having a day that celebrates love in a time when depression can take such a strong hold of our mindsets. Although light has begun to return to the northern hemisphere, our vitamin D deficiency has accumulated to a point that life can seem to have lost its color. What better time is there to have people tell one another that they love them?
Unfortunately, our society is focused on selling "proof" of our love. Cards, chocolates, flowers, and other gifts are "required" to show this devotion. I argue that any love that one has to buy is not truly love. Still, people buy into the devil's promise to turn stones into bread.
Our love should be sustained through our devotion to those whom we love from day to day. Our reminders of this love should not require anything more than us expressing our feelings through the simple phrase: "I love you."
That said, I wouldn't say no to chocolate.