The Real Kind of Love.

                 Every single day I experience some form of love. Some days it’s a happy greeting and a hug. Some days it’s a smile from a stranger. Some days it’s a critical piece of advice. Some days it is a shoulder to cry on. Love cannot be put into a box. It goes beyond my presuppositions of what love should look like, it crosses borders and breaks chains. Real love tears down walls of insecurity and meets fear on its knees. Real love bows down and sits beside the trembling and the heart ache. Real love hears stories that would bring shock to most but responds with a hug and encouragement.

            Love is not limited to chocolates and roses. Love is not upset by mistakes or shaken from uncertainty. Love accepts people as they are, broken and shattered, or standing tall and shimmering. Love celebrates success and mourns with loss. Love is not flattery, but instead is the building up of strength in others. Love is complicated. It’s not always easy to love the people who have hurt us or who have stopped loving us. Love requires work to be authentic. It is not simply just something we give out when we are having a good day. Love requires honesty and sincerity even on the days when we feel unlovable. Love is learning from mistakes. It means that our past is not the defining point of our lives, love gives us purpose to press on.

            Love doesn't look like the movies. It’s not always hand holding and kisses. Love is also the bandager of deep wounds and the consequence giver of bad choices. Love is more than just a fairy tale, its truth in its most potent form. It seeps into our souls like a piece of butter melts into a warm roll. Love reminds humans of their personhood. Love restores and love redeems. Love places an infinite value on the people in this world. Love seeks to turn the ugly in our lives into something beautiful, even if that means taking risks.

            Love. It’s something I have learned a lot about in the recent months. I am grateful for the people God placed in my life for such a time as this, because it is through Gods people that His love is communicated. It is through the effervescent life around us that Christ’s love abounds. Through deep waters and through sunny skies, love travels. Just as Christ laid down his life for His friends, love goes beyond the simplicity of cards and adornments, it goes beyond what fits in a schedule, love asks no questions.

             Love is shouting the ABC’s in the middle of the dance floor because a friend didn't like the song that was on. Love is slow dancing with a friend during a love song because you know inside they are a wreck. Love is doing stupid dance moves just to make someone laugh. Love is disregarding personal needs and taking on someone else’s. Love doesn't have to be glorified outings and presents. Sometimes love can just be sharing a meal together or jamming to rap music really loud and going on a drive. The thing about love is that it can be anything you make it. Love is only limited by our own perceptions. If we seek to find love for ourselves, we will come up short. But if we seek to love others as Christ loved us, love will find us and it will enrich our hearts. Love is washing the feet of even our greatest enemies so that the love of Christ himself is shown through us.

How well are you loving those who are hard to love?

These Little Imperfections

"There's no need to be perfect to inspire others. Let people get inspired by how you deal with your imperfections" - Ziad K. Abseil our

This is something I have always struggled with. I am constantly in performance mode, trying to be that girl who has it all together. She's always on time, never misses assignments, is in good relationship with the people around her, etc. I have always wanted to do good and to do it right the first time.

Everyone knows the truth though. We all know it's impossible to be perfect. We all know that others struggle so why do we pretend that we don't? Why do I try to mask my imperfections only to drive myself crazy when I fail? Honestly, it's the people who struggle and still return with strength and unshakeable faith that inspire me, not the perfect ones. Why do I believe this would be any different for myself?

My brain is in constant battle. One half battling for perfection and a good reputation and the other half is fighting for my humanness and my mistakes. One half of my brain is concerned with what other people think of me and the other is only concerned with what God thinks of me. 

Why do I let the fear of failure scare me so much? Doesn't God tell us that He can make beauty from the ashes? masterpieces from garbage? Do my actions really show that? Do I really believe in His grace? If the God I believe is the God of mercy and forgiveness, what good is trying to achieve perfection?

God does not use perfect people to make an impact. He uses broken ones. Adam, David, Jonah, Paul. Those men were far from perfect and yet they are the ones who tell Gods story. They are the people God chose to impact the world. God uses their brokenness for good, surely He can use mine.

I want to inspire people to love Christ more. He will shine the brightest through my broken pieces and imperfections. He called me His child while I was still a sinner. He says come as you are.

I can't be moved by my God if I pretend that I don't need to be moved. Hardened clay can't be molded and formed of its already covered with a shiny glaze. Wood can not be carved into if it has sat for so long that it has become rock. I can not display the glory of God if I am constantly trying to display my own. Jesus was perfect so I didn't have to be. And yet, He said that we would do greater works than He did.

God use me, right where I am. Use my broken pieces to shine your light. Mold me. Shape me. Move me. I want to inspire other to love you regardless of my faults. Help me break down the wall of perfection and open the floodgates of Your will. Thank you for loving me just as I am. Please help me to do the same.