Why God's Love Beats Valentine's Day Love And How To Make It Real At Bedtime
- Margarita Valdes
- Feb 28
- 4 min read
by Margarita Valdes
God's Love is available every single day.
February is almost synonymous with Valentine's Day. Depending on your relationship status—or even just your day—it can produce a variety of emotions. Not all of them happy.
For some, February 14th means flowers, chocolate, and romance. For others, it's a reminder of what's missing—loneliness, disappointment, unmet expectations.
But here's what I want to focus on at the end of this month: a love that's available every single day, not just on Valentine's. A love that never disappoints. Never wanes. Never depends on your relationship status or whether someone remembered to buy flowers.
It's the love of Christ.
Now, let's make it real—for you and for your children.
From Abstract to Real: Teaching Love We Can Feel
"Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so."
We've all heard the song. We believe it's true. But here's the honest question: What does that love look and feel like on a random Tuesday? Or when your child is scared at night? Or when you're exhausted and wondering whose going to be there for you?
This is where the world's version of love and God's love diverge—and where we have a formation opportunity.
The world teaches love through: grand gestures, performance, conditions, feelings that come and go.
God's love is: consistent, unconditional, present in ordinary moments, and available every single day.
But knowing about God's love isn't the same as experiencing it. And that's the gap we need to close—for ourselves and for our kids.
Time + Attention = Felt Love
Think about any relationship that matters to you. What made it strong? Time and attention.
You don't grow close to someone by knowing about them. You grow close by spending time with them—talking, listening, being present.
The same is true with God. If we want to feel His love—and help our kids experience it as real—we need to build time and attention into our daily rhythms.
Not just once a week at church. Every day. In the ordinary moments.
And one of the most powerful, overlooked moments we already have? Bedtime.
Why Bedtime Is The Right Time
Bedtime is when kids are tired. Guards are down. The noise of the day has quieted.
It's also when fears surface. When worries creep in. When the weight of the day—good or bad—settles on little shoulders.
This is when kids need to feel loved most. Not just by you. By God.
And this is your opportunity to make God's love tangible—to shift it from something they know about to something they experience.
What Love Looks Like At Bedtime: A Simple Practice
You don't need a perfect routine or theological expertise. You just need 10 intentional minutes and a simple framework:
1. Start With a Simple Bedtime Prayer (For You)
Before you begin, take a breath. Pray silently:
"God, help me be present. Help me point my child to Your love tonight."
This centers you and reminds you: this isn't just a bedtime routine. It's a formation moment.
2. Cuddle & Connect
Ask: "What was hard today?" or "What made you happy?"
Listen. Really listen. Be fully present.
When your child feels heard by you, they begin to understand what it feels like to be heard by God.
3. Read & Reflect
Turn to God's Word. Find a short verse that speaks to their day:
If they struggled: "God is close to the brokenhearted." (Psalm 34:18)
If they were happy: "Every good gift comes from God." (James 1:17)
If they were scared: "God has not given us a spirit of fear." (2 Timothy 1:7)
Keep it short. One verse. One connection to their real life.
This roots their day in Scripture and shows them God's love is relevant—not abstract.
4. Bless, Reset & Rest
Speak a blessing over them: "[Child's name], you are loved by God. You are seen. You are chosen. You are His."
Whisper a nightly affirmation: "Sleep well. God is with you. You are safe in His love."
Then release the day in God's peace. Good night.
Repetition forms identity. When they hear this every night, it becomes their internal voice.
What The Bedtime Routine Looks Like in Real Life
Night 1:
"What was hard today?"
"Kelly was mean to me."
"God is close to you when people hurt you. He sees you." [Pray together]
"Ellie, you are loved by God. You are seen. You are chosen. Sleep well."
Night 30:
Ellie tells you, "I talked to God at recess today when Kelly was mean. Like we do at bedtime."
That's when God's love becomes real—not just known.
God's Love Never Disappoints
Valentine's Day love can disappoint. People forget. Relationships end. Feelings fade.
God's love? It's available every single night. Not just February 14th. Not just when you've been good. Not just when life is easy.
Every night, you get to remind your child—and yourself—that you are loved, seen, chosen, and held by a God who never looks away.
This is the love that never disappoints. Never wanes. Never depends on performance.
But it needs to be practiced. Time and attention build the connection that makes it feel real.
Ten minutes. Every night. Watch what happens.
Start Tonight
Download our free Bedtime Blessing Guide for a printable framework to help you get started. It includes a simple prayer for parents, a blessing to speak over your child, nightly affirmations, and practical tips for making these 10 minutes count. Sign-up here: https://www.aftertheking.com/bedtimeroutine
Our Prayer Pillow can serve as a gentle reminder that bedtime is when we connect with God—but it's the practice, not the product, that forms faith.
Try it tonight. Just 10 minutes. See what changes.
As always, we pray you Experience His Love and Live the Better AFTER.
What does your child need to hear about God's love tonight? Share in the comments—we'd love to pray for your family.
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