Imagine this with me would you...
A beautifully lit, carefully cleaned, antique kitchen. A basket of lemons and limes a beautifully fresh contrast against the marble countertop. A smell like nothing that can be named hangs in the air...The smell of home? Yes... I think that captures it. Sitting on a tall chair at the counter in this kitchen was where I first heard my Grandmother try to describe her love for my Grandpa. Before this, I could not recall a time when I had heard their love spoken nor described to one another. This was a rare and precious gift. She began by saying that their love had not always been easy. Their walk together had lacked much of the romantic passion and tenderness that we so often crave as part of our own stories. This was not necessarily news to me, and observing this in their marriage had always been difficult for me. I longed to see them be loving towards one another physically or verbally in a way that was plain for the world to see... but my perspective was altered as she continued. Instead of speaking mournfully about missed opportunities or speaking of what she wished had happened, she simply said..."But ours is a sticky kind of love. We made a promise to one another, and no matter what happens we're stuck," Isn't that a beautiful way to describe love... Now, before you toss me to the loony bin, I want to explain. "a sticky kind of love"... Think about it. It is the kind of love that defies the temptation to give up... That refuses to give in to disappointment, or sadness, or greed... and just keeps on loving. It refuses to let go even when grace and love are not returned in kind, or at all... The love that focuses on the other person's heart... And trusts that the promise will be kept. Tonight, I was reminded of this "sticky kind of love" in a new light. A heavenly light. God loves me with "a sticky kind of love"... He is the love that defies giving up, does not surrender to disappointment, sadness, or greed... He keeps on loving, and refuses to let me go even when love and grace are not returned. He IS the EMBODIMENT of THAT LOVE! "Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him." 1 John 4:8 and 4:16b
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So, my dear people...I know that it is not Sunday, and that I did not post on Sunday, for which I am every so sorry. I must say though that I have a great story as an excuse that you probably would be more interested in hearing anyways. Now to get down to business. Tonight, I was spending time reflecting on what it means to trust God and who He is. I had the blessing today of listening to a group of people that I care about really dig into the "Nitty Gritty" of faith. For many of us, when we hear discussions about God's justice and how He will judge, or who will and will not go to heaven, our ears and hearts become unhearing and callous because we do not want to have to think about it... To be uncomfortable. As I thought about what they were saying I realized that the conclusion that I was able to draw was not one full of skepticism and hardness, but of a thankfulness that I can trust God to administer His perfect justice. It was a perspective switch for me. One that drew me closer and deeper into love with Him... My God, my lover, my King. It took my breath away. I could actually trust Him. Not a superficial trust that depends on what He does, but a deep and enduring trust in who He is. The confidence that He will be God, and will be faithful to all that He says He will do. I would love to hear your thoughts, so please please leave any comments or topic ideas in the comments below!
This evening...I have a very honest, and pretty painful topic that I'm going to share with you all. It has been on my heart this weekend and I think that it's important to talk about. It's about a battle that I have been warring inside my heart. It's the battle of feeling and believing that I am unlovable. For years... More than I care to admit, I have struggled with feeling like I am too much. Too talkative, to obnoxious, too fat, too imperfect... and everything else to be loved, especially beyond the bounds of friendship into something more.
As I spent time with God and others this weekend, and received the truth and love of those around me, God revealed to me that this lie has been wearing away sensitivity and softness and replacing it with mistrust, callousness, and loneliness. I struggle to allow people into my heart... Into my genuine thoughts... Into the deeper parts of me, and it makes relationships difficult at times. My relationship with God has struggled big time because of it. The breakthrough came while I was listening to one of our speakers talk about the intimacy and beauty of God's love as He wove us together uniquely in our mothers' wombs. He was there... And He knew that I was going to have more curves, more outspoken opinions, more acne... Yet He still said that I was VERY GOOD. I have been created differently yet uniquely lovely and Christ in me continues to expound upon that loveliness. As you are tempted to reflect upon your flaws and all of the things that YOU believe about yourself, turn to the Bible and read sections like Song of Solomon, and Psalm 139, and Zephaniah 3:17. You are danced over with such joy, and spoken over with such love. May you realize that today. Pray with me if you would: Father, I lay down all of this crud that I carry around on a daily basis. The beliefs that I am other than what you say I am. God help me to turn my gaze away from myself, and direct it towards you and your glorious love and direction. I surrender these lies, along with my life...Amen "The LORD your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing." Zephaniah 3:17 |
Where two or More...My dears, this blog is a safe and free space to talk about the things of life, love, and mystery. Your contribution is wonderful and valued. Archives
February 2021
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