A Playlist for the Single Woman on Valentine's Day
By Katie Zachok
For single women, Valentine’s Day can be the hardest day of the year. On a day that has become a secular celebration of romantic love, the lack of a significant other or memories of a break-up can resurface and feel extra painful. For many women, the question remains: How can you emotionally survive Valentine’s Day if you’re still waiting for “The One?”
Long before Valentine’s Day ever became the day of romantic dinners, chocolate, roses, and diamond pendants, it was (and still is) the feast of the Roman Catholic martyr, St. Valentine. He was a priest living in 3rd century Rome, where he would secretly marry young couples in direct defiance of the Emperor, who had forbidden marriage ceremonies. Once discovered, he was beheaded for upholding the sacrament of matrimony. You can learn more about how his feast day evolved here. The love of the martyrs is a great thing, and each of their deaths mirrors the words of Our Lord:
“This is My commandment: love one another as I love you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (John 15:12-13).
Jesus Himself did this for each and every one of us—for YOU. He wants your love this Valentine’s Day. He died on the Cross for you to know his deep love, that you would love Him in return. While the desire for relationship, marriage, and children are all good, healthy, and normal, leaning into His love will be cathartic on a day when the rest of the world seems to believe our only goal in life is to find someone before it’s “too late.”
Music is especially helpful to pull one out of the doldrums and find a new or relatable perspective, bringing some ease to the heart. The playlist below is divided into three sections that can help soothe the heartache that can come with Valentine’s Day. When the longing hits you, go for a drive, see some good friends, or grab a glass of wine, and let Jesus speak to you through these songs. It may not cure the ache, but resting in His love can help us realize how loved we already are.
Encouragement:
These are songs to remind you of your unique purpose, to find some inner strength, and to keep your standards up while searching for your one-and-only.
When I Fall in Love // Nat King Cole
Don’t let the world’s standards get you down. Hold out for the real thing, because you are worth the love and the dedication a real relationship offers.
Let this song unlock your inner free spirit when you don’t feel like yourself.
It takes courage to keep holding on and to cast away the lies that you’re not good enough. Don’t be afraid to speak up for yourself and bravely jump into whatever future God has for you with!
This is My Time // Raven Symone
We have a calling to fulfill right now! All your experiences have prepared you for this moment in time, and God has a work for you to do, messages for you to hear, and new facets of His love for you to experience!
A Love That Will Last // Renee Olstead
When you have a good desire in your heart but it’s slow in being realized, it can be challenging to persevere in prayer. This song can help put your desire into simpler words and make it easier to articulate.
“Comparison is the thief of joy.” This song can help recenter you when the opinions of others (or the mental tape in your head) start to make you spin.
One Step at a Time // Jordin Sparks
Most things in life are accomplished with baby steps. Let this song encourage you to keep putting one foot in front of the other. God’s timing can be hard to accept, but at least we can feel secure in knowing that He has our best interests at heart.
Romance with God
Below are secular songs that can provide an avant-garde approach for you and Jesus to speak of your love for each other.
A Thousand Years // Christina Perri
Jesus is fully God and fully Man, and during His Passion, He experienced the full range of human emotions, without sin. He felt fear, abandonment, sadness, and soul-crushing betrayal. Let Him tell you in this song how He has “died every day waiting for you.”
I Love You (For Sentimental Reasons) // Nat King Cole
Picture Jesus singing this one to you. His love is so powerful, but so soft and tender too. Let Him tell you how He feels about you.
The spiritual life is a long journey of constantly returning to God. When you’ve made a mistake or let other things distract you from His presence in your life, use this song to tell Him that you’re going to keep coming back.
Praise God through His creations in this song! Everything about nature is His love letter to you, from mountains and valleys, to forests, deserts, and oceans.
Because You Loved Me // Celine Dion
Tell Jesus how much He means to you and recall to mind how often He has rescued you, held you close, and shaped your life for the better.
All I Ask of You // Jackie Evancho
Your love. That’s all He asks.
Butterflies // Kacey Musgraves
Loving and being loved by Christ means transformation, much like that of a butterfly. His love is intimate and tender, yet can dazzle us as he lights up our world with flashes of color. Once we trust Him with our hearts, He takes us on such an adventure!
We learn to love from Love Himself, and it’s everlasting.
Galentine’s Day:
Who doesn’t love spending time with the gals? If you’re hanging out with your girlfriends today, these songs will bring on the dance moves and remind you of the beauty of female friendships.
This One’s For the Girls // Martina McBride
If you ever needed a reminder that life is a process and you’ll be okay, then this is for you.
She’s Not Just a Pretty Face // Shania Twain
Listen to this song when you need a reminder of how diverse and special each woman is! We have so many beautiful gifts and talents!
Better When I’m Dancing // Meghan Trainor
When you need a little confidence on the dance floor, turn this one up!
Chase the blues away and tell the world that you don’t have time to give in to the gloom!
Ladies, we can all agree on this one. There is nothing like singing with your tribe about the need for R-E-S-P-E-C-T.
We are Family // Sister Sledge
The Saints tell us that friendship is good for our spiritual lives and a balm for the soul, so when you “have all your sisters” with you, celebrate your presence in each other’s lives!
