A Thought on Love

Yesterday I was stuck inside the house all day with my two little girls while my son was at school. For the first part of the day I played puppets, colored, and did whatever else they wanted to do. The cold weather kept us inside and we were unable to explore outside like I really wanted to so I could get some fresh air and get out of the house for a while. I am one of those people that really can't stand to be inside all day!

Also, looking around the house made me realize I had a lot of little things to tackle, like that mounding pile of laundry. (after all, Friday is one of my official "laundry" days) The stress of that took over but right before I stopped playing with the girls a phrase popped in my head and I thought, well, "that had to be from God" and not me.

I often ask God to give me inspirations for writing and in His timing He does. As I was sitting on the bed looking at my daughter, my heart, this came to me:

"Real love in its most basic, organic form is sacrificial. Our human, "flesh" nature pulls us away to our own agenda but real agape love like that of Christ always pulls us back."

Sometimes it is not the natural thing for me to get down on the floor and play with my kids but I do it anyway. Sometimes, like my grandmother tells me I have to just "let the house go" and put my children first.

I think God smiled on us yesterday. And today. He is showing me a thing or two about love. And I'm ready to listen.

Turning Over a New Leaf

Ecclesiastes 3:1: " There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven..." (NIV)



This fall I've stumbled into a new hobby: Running. Now, if you had asked me a year ago if I'd ever consider running, or anything close to it, I would have laughed in your face but- I actually run now. Or jog, or struggle along like I'm running, or something like that.



I'm loving it. I really am. This is a new adventure for me. I have so much more energy now. That is one thing I love about life. If you stick around long enough, the monotonous will change and something exciting will come around the corner, something new to ponder, or explore or try.



And on those days when I want to throw in the towel and give up, I recall a favorite scripture of mine from Hebrews 12:1-2- "Therefore since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." (NIV)

I thank you, Lord, for the strength, abilities, and renewed energy you are giving me and for working so evidently in my life.

My prayer is God strengthens you too.