On the eve of Valentine’s Day — when Americans inexplicably conclude that those tiny candy hearts taste good — the National Retail Federation estimated that people planned to break spending records Feb. 14.
According to the NRF’s annual survey, consumers would reportedly spend $25.8 billion, including a record-breaking $6.4 billion on jewelry and nearly $5 billion to enjoy a night out.
To put that in terms bachelors can grasp, people intended to spend enough to purchase almost 3 billion Papa John’s pepperoni pizzas — when on sale. Based on these broad calculations, people could have bought enough pizza to give everyone in the world three slices each, but instead they diverted those funds to remind themselves that they love each other … or that they love themselves. About 30 percent of people not celebrating Valentine’s Day still planned to “treat themselves to something special,” the survey reported.
However, one article warned on Feb. 13, drivers with Lyft, Uber, and DoorDash threatened to strike on Valentine’s Day, and these strikes could potentially cancel plans for couples “dependent on a ride service for their evening getaway,” the reporter wrote.
After Valentine’s Day dawned, though, Uber officials at least said the strikes didn’t disrupt any romantic ambitions.
But other circumstances will.
People live in a fallen world, and even the power of love can’t guarantee that roses will always blossom beneath couple’s feet as they journey — and sometimes stumble — through life.
But when those couples, through the power of God, still commit to Ephesians 5 faithfulness, they unleash a love that no day, card, chocolate, sentiment, or even pizza can adequately honor.
And they unleash a love that no circumstance or trial — even death — can destroy.
Verse 1
He lost his job in seventy-one
She lost their child the next year
They’ve lost their tempers a time or two
Lost sight of God’s plan through their tears
Pre-chorus
But they never lost hope
They never lost faith
And when I saw them leave church Sunday
Chorus
They were still holding hands
Still walking side by side
They follow the One
Who gave His own Son
When love called for sacrifice
And each step tells the story
How God’s grace can overcome
‘Til their race here is won
And their work is done
They’ll be still holding hands
Verse 2
This world will say to love your own way
Trust your heart, be true to you
But when I see these silver-haired saints
Love like the Lord told them to
Pre-chorus
Then I know God told us the truth
Chorus
Cause they’re still holding hands
Still walking side by side
They follow the One
Who gave His own Son
When love called for sacrifice
And each step tells the story
How God’s grace can overcome
‘Til their race here is won
And their work is done
They’ll be still holding hands
Tag
They both vowed, “I do”
And God vows, “You can”
So keep holding His hand
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