Help Me Find It

It's Thanksgiving morning and while I'm preparing food to share with friends and family, I am listening to some of my favorite songs saved on a YouTube channel several years ago. Listening to these songs brings back memories, but one in particular just reminded me of God's sovereignty, His loyal love, and infinite kindness to me.

Help Me Find It is a song by a group called Sidewalk Prophets.When this song was first released on the radio, I remember listening to the lyrics and identifying with its message. Perhaps you've been there, too. You're on a path and suddenly the path is closed off and you're not sure where to turn or even why the path was blocked off. Questions abound: What happened? Why? Where do I go now? Lord, was this your plan?

When I found myself in that very position, this song ministered to my soul. I deferred to God and asked Him to show me the path to take.  

Help me find it.

I will trust in You.

Give me peace for the moment.

I will wait for You.

Those days were not easy, living in the unknown. But, leaning on God during those times did help. Each time this song came on the radio, it was another opportunity for me to renew my commitment to wait on God and His plan.

I can now look back on those times and know that God is faithful to His promises. I am ever so thankful that I yielded to God's plan, even in those moments of hurt.

On this day of Thanksgiving, I am grateful to my Heavenly Father for His blessings that often come through those hard times.

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; 

I will counsel you with my loving eye on you. - Psalm 32:8

Pray that the LORD your God will tell us 

where we should go and what we should do. - Jeremiah 42:3

Grateful that God helped me find the right path. 

You Love Me Anyway

I was driving home from work and listening to the radio. I listened to a few songs then changed the channel. A song came on the radio that I've heard many times before, but as I listened closely to the words it brought tears to my eyes. Good tears.

"But, You love me anyway."

Isn't that what we all want? We just want to be loved for ourselves, in spite of our faults, our imperfections, our poor choices, our dumb quirks, our lies, our jealousy, our pride, and so on.

There is only One who can love me that perfectly. Only Jesus can love me when I keep making the same mistakes over and over, when I keep doubting Him, when I ignore Him and put other things ahead of Him.

"It’s like nothing in life that I’ve ever known."

Yes, Jesus does love me anyway. Just let that thought soak in to your soul.

I was reminded of the Apostle Peter. He loved Jesus with all his heart. Yet, when it came right down to choosing between  his own life and Jesus, Peter chose to save himself. Not once, but three times. Peter...well, I can't even imagine how he felt after that. I can only fathom the depths of despair running through his heart. Peter must have felt lower than low. How could you truly love someone and then--to use current vernacular--throw them under the bus when their life depended on it?

The best part of the story is that Jesus loved Peter anyway. Then He gave Peter an opportunity to openly profess his love for Jesus publicly. At the Sea of Galilee Jesus appeared to the disciples while they were fishing (John 21). After Jesus cooked breakfast for the guys, he asked Peter three times, "Simon son of John, do you love me?" Did you notice Jesus used Peter's former name when He asked this question? (Interesting.)

Jesus loved Peter anyway and Peter went on to do great things in Jesus' name. Jesus also loves me and you anyway--no matter what we've done.

Watch the official video of "You Love Me Anyway" by the Sidewalk Prophets

Pat Benatar Was Right

Yes, love IS a Battlefield. These are the first few lines from the song made famous by Pat Benatar...

"We are young, heartache to heartache we stand. 

No promises, no demands. Love Is A Battlefield."

If you're an 80's music buff, like me, you'll immediately recognize this song and recall the music video.

The music video for this song depicts the messy life of a teenager. It begins by demonstrating the volatile relationship with her parents and ends with the teen living a tough life on her own. But, in the very end she chooses to help others--to be the strong one--by leading them out of a bad situation.

It could happen like that in real life, but more than likely your life will be a little less dramatic. Mine is certainly less dramatic. However, when it comes to relationships, it seems there is always some sort of drama involved.

Loving others may involve stepping in a minefield (hurt feelings) or some verbal sparring (think flaming arrows from the tongue). There may even be an occasional sneak attack (I didn't see that coming!) or confrontational in-your-face attacks (finger pointing or accusations). Then there are the responses from the previously wounded soldier who is heavily armored and fearful (I've already been hurt) and those somewhere in the middle running interference (can't we just all get along??). It's my guess that every family get-together includes one or more of the above scenarios.

No matter how hard we try, relationships are often messy and it's not always easy to love others. It will be that way because we are imperfect, sinful people who are prone to be selfish. Me included! That self-interest causes us to turn inward and suddenly we're like a porcupine. The quills come out and hurt anybody who comes near.

Frankly, love isn't safe.

"Loving someone selflessly is often simple but rarely is it easy."  

~ Gary Chapman, author of The Five Love Languages 

I've been mulling over these thoughts for a few weeks and it's been interesting to see how the Lord has placed biblical teaching about love and relationships in my path. Here are some things I've learned and they apply to any type of relationship:

Feelings come and go and are very unpredictable. We can't always trust our feelings when it comes to love.

Our emotions and circumstances can influence how we love others. But, if we decide ahead of time to love with that agape kind of love and we've decided ahead of time that no matter what someone does or says, no matter how we feel at the moment about that person, we will continue to love them. Trust is built when we love consistently.

So, what does agape love really look like?

It's choosing to love that person who rejects you.

It's choosing to love that person who made a thoughtless remark that offended you.

It's choosing to love the person whose choices are very different from your own.

Please notice I didn't say you had to approve of the thoughtless remark, the rejection, or the choices made by others. Approval is different than love.

I don't know about you, but I'd prefer to be loved by choice and not based solely on an emotion.

After all, God's love is not based on emotion. God's love is consistent. I am so glad for that!

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, 

that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

 - John 3:16

But God shows his love for us in that while 

we were still sinners, Christ died for us. - Romans 5:8

Thoughts About Life

Just a few thoughts to share this week...

1.  Life is fleeting.

2.  Love others.

3.  Let God have control.


Point #1:

I mourn with friends this week who lost a loved one—a beloved patriarch of the family. It was a sudden death that came a few days after celebrating his life.

It reminded me of the loss of my own father several years ago. There was no warning. No last-minute goodbye. He was on this earth one moment and in heaven the next. However, I wouldn't have changed a thing in how that transpired in my life.

Even though the deaths I have mentioned were sudden, both lived full lives and were men after God's heart. In His sovereignty, God made the choice of when it was time to bring them home. For that I am personally grateful.

Yes, life is fleeting. We don't always understand God's timing or God's ways. But, I do know that God is still good. He was with me through that time and will be with my friends as they walk through this, too.


Point #2:

I was reminded several times this week through scripture that God is love. He loved us first. And, we should love others, even though they might not love us back. Why should I expect love to be returned? It's easy to love those who love us back, but it's not so easy to love those who resist our attempts at showing care and love. Or worse, what about showing love to those who don't like us or persecute us?

I really like this quote:  "God’s intent is that the people who receive His love will become the conduit of His love to others." —Julie Ackerman Link

I'm asked to be a conduit of love, not simply a receptacle. After a while, a full receptacle will get stagnant. You have to keep pouring the water out and adding fresh water or it gets nasty.


Point #3:
I sat back and watched God go to work this week. There were a couple of situations that came up in which I felt as if I should "do something." But, this is an area of my life in which God has been teaching me a lot. I did do something. I prayed about it first instead of trying to fix it myself. Then I waited on the Lord (because that seemed to be the right thing to do in this instance).

The peace that I had as I surrendered those things to the Lord was incredible. Then as I saw answers to prayers come through, it was so evident that God's hand was in it. That's when things started falling into place.

When I try to do things in my own strength it's a lot like pushing a boulder up a mountain. It's exhausting!

To be fair, this doesn't mean that life and problems will always be effortless if we turn to the Lord first. Scripture already tells us we will have problems, but it also tells us that the Lord help us bear these burdens.


For His glory!

What's Love Got to do With It?

We love the "love chapter." You know those pleasant little verses in 1 Corinthians that are read aloud at weddings. We often romanticize what true love really is...

⁴ Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud 

⁵ or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, 

and it keeps no record of being wronged. 

⁶ It does not rejoice about injustice but

 rejoices whenever the truth wins out. 

⁷ Love never gives up, never loses faith, 

is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.

Have you ever really thought about the placement of this chapter? No? Me either--until this week. I overheard a sermon introduction on the radio by Adrian Rogers. I was in the car and didn't have time to listen to the whole thing, just the first couple of minutes. However, there was enough food for thought in those first few minutes to set my mind to thinking and learn something new.

The "love chapter" as it's often referred to (1 Corinthians 13) is nestled in between chapters 12 and 14 which are about spiritual gifts and relating to the body of christ--other people. 

Why would Paul, the author of this letter to the Corinthian church, decide to talk about love in the middle of teaching about spiritual gifts? It's all rather clear in those first few verses of this chapter...

1 If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, 

but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 

² If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of 

God’s secret plans and possessed all knowledge, 

and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, 

but didn’t love others, I would be nothing. 

³ If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, 

I could boast about it; but if I didn’t love others, 

I would have gained nothing.

You see, without love, all of these spiritual gifts are meaningless. Ministering to others without love is ineffective. Spiritual gifts aren't meant to be used or shared for our own benefit. That would be self-seeking and not loving toward others. They are meant to glorify God and build up others.

How do I love others--even strangers or those who are difficult to love--and still minister effectively? Well, it's not easy on my own. Some people are easier to love than others. It does not mean I have to have those gooey, lovey-dovey feelings for everyone. Love is way more than feelings, it's a decision--a choice that's made more in my head than in my heart. 

My own love for God will result in me being able to love others through Him. God loves everyone so I can draw on that love if I love Him.

                   We love each other because he (GOD) loved us first. ~ 1 John 4:19



I wish I had a really great way to finish this, but let me use this somewhat crude illustration. My life should be a mirror. If I am constantly looking at God (through His Word), then I will reflect His love toward others. When I take my eyes off God, what am I reflecting to the world? 

Wordy Wednesday

I’ve loved you 
the way my Father 
has loved me. 

Make yourselves at home
in my love. 
If you keep my commands, 
you’ll remain intimately 
at home in my love. 

That’s what I’ve done—
kept my Father’s commands
and made myself at home
in his love.

John 15:9-10

These are the words of Jesus. There's no mistaking it. He loves me and you. Abide in Him and His love today.

Wordy Wednesday

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. - Romans 8:28



No doubt, you are familiar with this verse. Sometimes familiar verses are easy to just gloss over because we've heard it so often. This verse is often quoted to us following a disappointment or time of testing. Internally I say to myself, Yeah, yeah, heard it before.

Take a moment to look at it with fresh eyes (and I say this to myself most of all).

We know.
All (every single thing that happens)
Works for His good (not necessarily my good)
For His purpose.

Whatever is going on right now, today, has already been filtered through God's loving hands, and He has a plan that fits His purpose. If you've royally screwed up, God will use that somehow, some way. That's a promise. You may still suffer the consequences of that major mess, but if you love God and dilligently seek Him, He will work it ALL for His good--and ultimately your (and my) good.

Wordy (Valentine) Wednesday

In honor of Valentine's Day, this week's Wordy Wednesday post will be about love.

Understand, therefore, that the Lord your God

is indeed God. He is the faithful God 

who keeps his covenant for a thousand generations

and lavishes his unfailing love on those 

who love him and obey his commands. 

~ Deuteronomy 7:9

Those who accept my commandments 

and obey them are the ones who love me. 

And because they love me, my Father will love them.

And I will love them and reveal myself to each of them.

~ John 14:21 

Happy Valentine's Day.

Wordy Wednesday

God's Love...

"And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. " - Romans 8:38-39

Wordy Wednesday

Because of your unfailing love, I can enter your house;
    I will worship at your Temple with deepest awe.
Lead me in the right path, O Lord,
    or my enemies will conquer me.
Make your way plain for me to follow. - Psalm 5:7-8

Wordy Wednesday

Some great words of advice, especially during this busy Christmas season...

Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. 

Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. 

Love each other with genuine affection, 

     and take delight in honoring each other.  

Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically.  

Rejoice in our confident hope. 

Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying.  

When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. 

Always be eager to practice hospitality. 

- Romans 12: 9-12

An Open Letter to Christian Singles

Dear Single Friend:

Every human being has a physical heart. But we also have this place in our soul that is also referred to as our heart. That’s what I want to talk about here—specifically about male/female relationships. I’m no expert in this area, by any means, but I’ve witnessed a lot of heartache and experienced some of my own. It seems most of the heartache is due to carelessness and recklessness—both avoidable. Either way, it appears education in this area of life is lacking. And if we are being taught these things, it’s a little too late because we’re hard of hearing or hard of listening. Unfortunately, it seems we have to learn these truths only by actually going through the fire or watching a loved one go through it.

We’re all born with a new heart which is ready to accept all that life has to offer. As we experience life, events begin to tug at and imprint themselves onto our hearts. All these experiences make us into what we are today—the good and the bad. The good news is that God can use and will use all these experiences for His good and to accomplish His purpose for our lives. But, sometimes we open ourselves up to experiences that God didn’t intend for us.

I believe we need to remember that a person’s heart is not an amusement park ride which is ridden briefly and then we’re on to the next ride looking for bigger and better thrills. The heart is not something that you should offer to just anyone nor should it be taken without permission. 

The heart is the center of the body, the hub where all the important activity intersects. It’s also that metaphorical place where all our emotions are stored. Our Hopes, our Dreams, and the Spiritual side of our lives all reside there. Therefore we need to be really careful with our hearts. (If you have young children, please begin teaching this to them now.)

Our heart should be carefully guarded when it comes to dating relationships. There is an awful lot of “using” going on between men and women. You know the scenario: Person #1 isn’t really serious about the person #2, but decides they’ll keep their company until someone better comes along. Person #2 has no idea what Person #1 is thinking and opens up their heart, willingly handing bits of their heart over to them. When the truth finally comes to light, Person #1 has happily moved on to Person #3. Meanwhile Person #2 is left picking up the broken pieces of their life.

Who is to blame in the scenario above? The way I see it, both parties are to blame. It’s easy to place all the blame on Person #1. Number 1 knowingly used the other person! However, the second party opened his or herself up to this heart-hijacking. In most cases, Person #2 will often have a sense about the intentions of Person #1. But that feeling is often hidden in denial or simply dismissed. It’s quite possible that gut feeling may have been the Holy Spirit warning Person #2. On the flip side, Person #2 may have used Person #1 to selfishly fulfill a need in his or her own life. It’s that lonely, empty place which we try to fill where only God should reside.

Marriage is a covenant relationship ordained by God. I’m sure He never intended for us to leave bits of our hearts and lives scattered amongst a long string of casual dates. Dating is a very modern concept so you won’t find a check list for dating in the Bible. However, you can find lots and lots of information about how to treat other people. For starters, remember the “One-Anothers” and the "Love Chapter"? These Biblical principles apply to those you date too.

To sum it up, Be Careful with Your Heart. The heart is a fragile place, subject to wear and tear, bruising, as well as outright abuse. We also need to have more consideration for others above our own selfish gain. 

Philippians 2: 3-5 says: Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. 

Rather, in humility value others above yourselves,  

not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.  

In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus.

Sacrificial love = Christ’s love. 

We need to see more of this type of love in all relationships.

I came up with the following list. If you have some constructive ideas to add, please share. This list doesn't need to stop at 10!

Ten Commandments for Christian Singles

Love God with all your heart. If you have a right relationship with God, your relationships with others will be right.
 

God comes first in your life—before dating, your ministry, or job. Anything or anyone that occupies your thoughts more than God has become an idol in your life. 

Be honest. Keep lines of communication open from the beginning. If you don’t feel like you’ll ever truly be interested in a long-term future with someone, let them know so they can make an informed decision.

Take care of yourself physically, spiritually, and emotionally. It’s good for you and it will be good for your future mate.

Don’t be envious of married people. They have problems too. Many are envious of your freedom! Enjoy it while you can and use your freedom to do things you cannot do when you have family responsibilities.

Know yourself. If you have the temperament to handle casual dating and are able to enjoy it without endangering another person’s feelings, then go for it. But, if you have a tendency to love deeply and loyally, you may not be able to casual date. 

Pray. Stay in constant communication with God. Listen for and ask daily for His guidance concerning your relationships.

Respect the boundaries of others—physical and emotional boundaries. Don’t steal another person’s heart or anything else that belongs to him or her.

Be faithful. Once you embark upon a committed relationship, have eyes only for that person (after God, of course).

Keep silent. Don’t use the “L” word until you are absolutely certain about your feelings. In general, our society is too casual with the word LOVE. We love pizza. We love football. Honestly, love should be reserved for people—friends, family, and mates.

 Text (c) 2012 The Blue-Eyed Babe.

Hope for this Unsteady Heart

Earlier this week I wrote a post about true love and trusting Jesus.  Events drove me to my knees seeking the Lord. It was during those unsteady times that Jesus stepped in to steady my heart, to catch the tears, and He lovingly walked with me through the uncertainty. There is hope for the unsteady heart and that hope can be found through Jesus.

I'm a big fan of Kari Jobe and especially her song called Steady My Heart. I've heard it on the radio recently and identified with the lyrics. I want to share the video here for anyone else who may be experiencing the unsteadiness that life brings. I hope you will be blessed by this song as much as I have been.

My True Love

I've discovered authentic and unconditional love.

I'm not talking about love at first sight (which is a misnomer).

I'm not talking about the type of relationship in which someone "loves" until it's no longer comfortable or convenient.

And I'm not talking about the kind of love that comes as long as I'm accepted or my behavior is approved.


I'm talking about the kind of love that is...
     totally unexplainable by human standards,
          loves regardless of what I do or say,
               that is so overwhelming at times that I can literally feel it.


During recent months I've had some experiences which have seriously tested my faith. But it was during this time when I also discovered this unconditional, overwhelming love in my life. I've been a believer in Jesus, the Messiah, since childhood and always knew God loved me (who hasn't memorized John 3:16, right?). But I never really internalized and experienced that love first-hand. Whose fault is that? Ultimately it's my fault.

God was there all along. He was ready to pour out His love in abundance if I'd only let Him. I read an inspirational story recently that gives a good example of this. (The following is a retelling of this story in my own words.)

A young man loved an expensive guitar. He would often go to the music store and longingly stare at this guitar. He didn't have the money to buy it himself but hoped one day that he could buy it. His mother knew about this guitar and decided to surprise her son with the guitar for his birthday. She bought the guitar and placed it in the son's room so that when he woke up the next morning, he would see it. 

The son didn't notice the guitar in his room. For several days in a row he went back to the store to look at the guitar. The clerk who sold the guitar to the young man's mother came up to him and asked how he liked his new guitar. The young man didn't know what he was talking about. The clerk explained that his mother came in several days earlier to purchase the guitar as a birthday surprise for him.

The son rushed home to look around. He went into his bedroom and finally saw the guitar sitting there with a bow on it. Somehow he was so focused on what he didn't have that he was missing out on what was there all along!

It's so easy to get focused on stuff that happens in life--or stuff that doesn't happen. We invite Jesus to come into our lives, but we let Him sit and wait by the front door. We don't let His love seep into all those nooks and crannies of our lives and become Lord. Maybe that happens because of ignorance (we didn't know we should or could or thought we had). Or maybe we did it because we have broken "trusters" from past hurts--those in our past have hurt us or let us down so we don't let anyone get too close. Shame could also be a reason we wouldn't let Jesus get too close. There are probably other reasons that might fit this scenario.

For me, a lot of it was a trust issue. It took a series of trials to get my attention. God used both circumstances and people to get my attention. You might ask, What kind of a loving God would allow those trials to happen?  (The answer to that would be an entirely different blog post.) Suffice it to say, God knew me well enough to know what would work to get my attention. I felt His loving presence all along the way. With each event, I turned to God. Sometimes to ask Why (okay, a lot of times to ask Why). Even in the midst of hurt, God constantly showed me how much He loved me through the Word, through songs, through nature, and through people. He carefully worked on building that trust between us. When I began to open my eyes and see how He was working, I was amazed, astounded, and overwhelmed. I learned I could trust God because of such lengths He went to to get my attention and protect me in the midst of it all.

I once heard Beth Moore say that she says to God, I love you, too. She says that because Scripture tells us...

We love, because He first loved us. ~ 1 John 4:19

So, God first tells us and demonstrates that He loves us. Therefore, we can whisper back to Him (our True Love)...

I love you, too!

Three on Thursday

1. "Our insecurity, emotional vulnerability, and longing to be needed drive us to idolize another person instead of God." ~ from Break Through by Clinton & Springle.  God created us to need Him. It seems we're always trying to fill that void with other people or things. Until we recognize this and allow God to completely fill that empty place, we will continue to search--unsuccessfully--for something else to satisfy that need.
2. "If you’ve ever doubted God’s personal pursuit of you, let this truth sink in, my friend: wherever you are, He wants to meet you there. He is waiting for you to stop, come up close, and turn your heart to listen to His. You don’t have to pretend things are fine when they aren’t. He knows what is going on in your thoughts. Nothing could keep Him from wanting to be with you." ~ from A Confident Heart by Renee Swope.  I can personally attest to this truth. God relentlessly pursued me but He waited for me to stop and turn to Him. He wants me to be close enough to Him to hear and to see what He wants me to know. He already knew what I was thinking, what I was holding back. Yet He still wanted me. To use a quote from an old hymn, that's "Amazing Love. How can it be?"
3. "Regardless of how you may feel, God does see you. He knows your name, and He loves you— passionately and tenderly. He sees your needs, and He yearns to fill them. At any given moment, even when you feel most alone, He is working out a plan for your future. All you have to do is turn around. Trust Him. Wait for Him. Keep your eyes open. One way or another, one day soon, you will realize that you, too, have encountered El Roi.” ~ from The God Who Sees You by Tammy Maltby.  Once again, this is amazing love from our amazing, One True God. When we diligently seek God, He is willing to reveal who He is to us and teach us. God sees us and loves us. When you can't trust anyone in this world, you can trust God.

Love Notes From God

As I was preparing dinner one evening, I noticed a stain on my kitchen counter. I suppose it was left from my morning coffee and in my rush I didn't notice it until that evening. But what I saw was not a stain, it was a heart. It was a beautiful heart and another reminder of God's love for me.

How did I get all that from a stain on the counter? Because I have learned to wait expectantly for God to show me these little acts of love. Sometimes it comes through just the right song on the radio, or in the words from a friend, and sometimes it comes through a simple stain on the kitchen counter.

I have learned that God loves me so much that He is willing to go to great lengths to let me know. He loves me unfailingly, sacrificially, and unconditionally. He loves me enough to allow me to make mistakes and He will be there to pick me up when I stumble. He loves me enough to dry every single tear that I shed. He's there to cheer me on when I make the right choices.

And here's the really cool thing about this picture: When we are God's adopted children, He doesn't see a stained heart either. He only sees our beautiful, clean heart through the eyes of His son, Jesus.

I will leave you with just a few of the many, many verses about God's love for us.

Psalm 36:7

How precious is your unfailing love, O God! 

All humanity finds shelter in the shadow of your wings.

Psalm 52:8

But I am like an olive tree, thriving 

in the house of God. I will always trust in God’s unfailing love.

Psalm 136:2

Give thanks to the God of gods. 

His faithful love endures forever.

Proverbs 15:9

The LORD detests the way of the wicked,

 but he loves those who pursue godliness.

Romans 8:38

And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. 

Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, 

neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow

—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love.

 

You Are Beautiful

I recently shared a simple post on Facebook from Proverbs 31 Ministries. The message was very simple but really touched me. I was amazed by the response from other women by this post. Young, old, or in-between, it's obviously something we need to hear...often.

The message was simply a passage from the Bible...

You Are Altogether

Beautiful 

My Darling 

Beautiful 

in Every Way. 

Song of Songs 4:7

Accompanying this verse was a simple message...

You. Yes, you.

There were over 300 shares of this post in a matter of two hours! Imagine how many Facebook users didn't share but just "liked" the post. We're talking about thousands of people touched by this thought in just a few hours.

Women are obviously hungry for this message. How wonderful to know that even when we (I) don't hear these words, our Heavenly Father looks down at us (me) and thinks this very thought about us (me). Just let that thought soak in. Then blow a kiss to God. The feeling of love is overwhelming.

Here's a great song to go along with this topic.

God First Loved Us

I've been watching a video series by Beth Moore called "Loving Difficult People." I didn't feel like I had any difficult people in my life at the moment, but I have had some in my life in the past and will likely have some in the future. So, I decided to give this series a listen.

Half way through this lesson, I realized that there were many different types of "difficult" people. Beth was focusing on the extremely difficult relationships where someone is very hard to get along with. These people often cause hurt feelings.  She refers to them as the porcupines--get too close and you'll get stuck.

As I thought more about it, I realized there were other types of "difficult" people. Some may be in our lives right now. These are the people who don't mean to be difficult, but they make it very hard for us to love them. One in particular that I thought of was those who put up invisible walls around themselves. These people have been hurt in the past, closing themselves off from others to avoid further hurt. These wounded souls need God's help just as much as the abrasive neighbor or the know-it-all relative. The wounded soul has retreated in to himself and rebuffs anyone who tries to get close. The easy thing to do would be to walk away. We think, Fine. I'll respect their privacy. Besides, I don't have time to waste getting through that brick wall! But...

We love, because He first loved us. ~ 1 John 4:19 (NASB)

...I can love others because God first loved me. I would not know how to love if God had not demonstrated love to me.

Hmmmm. I wonder if God ever thinks, She is so stubborn that I just can't spend any more time trying to love her.  Of course not. He doesn't give up. Then again, He's God and He's able to do so much more than us. But, I can love the difficult people who don't love me back because God poured His love into me.

And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love

into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. ~ Romans 5:5 (NIV)

So, if I try to love others with my human nature, my patience runs very short, I get angry, I give up. But...

...God can love this person through me. We can follow God's lead when trying to love someone who doesn't want to be loved or is difficult to love. He will show us when to press in or when to pull back, if we stay tuned in to the Holy Spirit. Will it be easy? Ha! Probably not. But whoever said life (or relationships) would be easy?