Chinese New Year. Ang pows. Valentine's Day. Chocolate kisses. Red roses. Firecrackers. Karaoke. Mahjong. Cheesy date movies.

Every year, the month of February brings with it a flurry of activity. For many, February is a much-anticipated month - the month in which people's wallets and bank accounts grows bigger with 'ang pow' money, and the month in which lovers go all out to do extravagant things for each other. For some, the thought of smelling new bank notes and feasting on Chinese New Year goodies is probably enough to get you excited. For others, this time of the year to you means catching up, kicking back, and spending quality time with the people you call family. For some, the thought of Valentine's day leaves them quivering with excitement about what their sweethearts are going to surprise them with this year. Or whether that guy/girl they've been having their eye on will remember they exist at all come February 14. For others, Valentine's Day is simply an excuse to hang out with single friends without the pressure of coupling up.

Yes, the month of February brings with it many exciting things, not all of them necessarily bad things either.

But for some of you, this February seems to bring more sadness than happiness. For some of you, being reunited with family and relatives just serves to deepen the pain of losing a family member. For others still, Valentine's Day just serves as a reminder of all the pieces of your heart that have been given away only to get shattered to bits.

If you are one of those people this month whom in the midst of all the activity and festivities are feeling lost and empty inside, know this - you are not alone.

I may not have gone through the same struggles with loss and pain that you have gone through, but trust me - I have gone through my own share of pain, mostly brought on by my own mistakes. But it is in this season of struggling to find meaning, struggling to deal with the pain, that I am ever so gently reminded again of a Father, of a Comforter, of the Ultimate Valentine - who gave everything for me so that I would know, amidst what I'm going through right now, that I am deeply loved and that no person or thing could ever compare to the way that He loves me. For all my broken dreams, failed plans, and crushed hopes, I am reminded that despite my mistakes and imperfections, despite my disappointments with others, there is One who will never fail me and who will never disappoint me.

This February, whatever you're going through in your own life - nobody might know - but there is One who sees right through the mask you may wear or the charade you may play. And He knows, intimately, the pain you're going through. Because of that, this season, I will choose to give my heart to Him again and let him mend it like only He can. Won't you do the same?

Crystal