The world is coming to an end. That conclusion became all too obvious after reports recently surfaced that the world’s chocolate supply is dwindling, likely causing future shortages. Not after I’m long dead and buried future, like, super soon future.

Nooooooooo!!!! No! no! no! no! no! no! no!

Sorry. Where was I?

Now, I can’t really speak for men, but as a woman, I know many of us double X chromosomers love our chocolate. And by love, I mean we can’t comprehend existence without its decadent lusciousness. It is not a mere want folks, it is a vital, necessary, scrumptiously soothing Godsend to deter us from acting out evil impulses—usually of the caustic, word-blistering variety. Then again, maybe that’s just me.

It’s not like I have to have chocolate all the time. In fact, the necessity and desire are quite sporadic. Even so, when the need strikes, there had better be some good choc on the way quickly or I can’t be held responsible for what happens next. The defendant is not guilty by reason of no chocolate in the nick of time.

In addition to its soothing soothiness, the fact that chocolate exists gives my husband an out from saying idiotic things that I have been told some men say. Things like, “Oooohh, that time of the month, eh?” I hear that some men even ask more unpleasant variations of that same question. Seriously, how dumb do you have to be? Do you not understand the beast you are provoking? Just for the record, just because it might be that time, doesn’t mean that what I am saying, crying over, or yelling at everyone about is in any way, shape, or form inaccurate.

Anyway, when the hubs notices certain things happening, certain tones of voice, maybe a few more eye rolls or deep breaths, he simply comes home from work and hands me chocolate. No words. Another life spared. Magic.

I can’t help but wonder what the repercussions could be if that craving, that need, is never satisfied. On a global scale? The world sure does look like it needs a massive dose of chocolate, doesn’t it? But I’m guessing it’s not missing chocolate that is causing all the chaos, confusion and outright evil, is it?

All indications worldwide point to a lack of love. Genuine, honest love. What else could explain what we see on the news every night?

At our core, every single last one of us craves love. It’s a need we don’t quite know how to satisfy. Almost all of us go about, at one time or another, filling that void in all the wrong ways. We often accept second or 100th best or a clever imitation in place of the real thing. Unfortunately, many of us have never quite figured out how to trust real love’s outstretched arms. It’s so foreign, we act like we don’t care, don’t believe, don’t want that. We reject the very thing we crave so deeply within us.

What if each person could come in contact with the real force of true, unadulterated love? What would the world be like? What would change if we found ourselves enveloped in real, sincere, profound love? What if we understood being loved has nothing to do with our performance, being good enough, or acting perfectly, but has everything to do with the One who truly loves?

What if you could know Someone who loves without reservation? without inhibition? fully? wholly? without counting the cost? Someone who loves you where you’re at but places dreams for the future in you? One who hopes and believes so much more wonder for you than you can imagine? Someone who wants nothing but the best at all times for you? Who would walk through fire with you and for you?

Would you be willing to let yourself be loved like that?

That kind of love is waiting for you. That kind of love flows through the person of Jesus, who loved so much that He gave His life for you so that you may have more than this world can ever offer. All you have to do is say yes.

Admittedly, for most of us accepting this kind of love is quite an adjustment to make. We doubt. We get scared. Some need a little more convincing than others. No worries—just give yourself time to soak it in. If you mess up and run away, then turn around and let His love sink in a little more and then mess up, trip, stumble, fall and run away and come back again. Over and over and over, until you are convinced of His love.

Give Him time to clean away the lies and distortions you have carried around about what love is. About who He is. He is ever-patient and ever-kind and He never gives up.

Happy Valentine’s Day!