You'll Get Through This

You'll get through this.
It won't be quick. It won't be painless, but God will use this mess for something good.
In the meantime,  don't be foolish, don't be naive; don't despair either because with God as your helper you'll get through this.

~Max Lacado

Life hits us with blows that can really knock the wind out of our lungs. The devil shadow boxes with us and we believe the lies to the point of despair. Our emotions carry us into a new dimension of heartache, if we let them. However, no matter how deep our pitfall is God is going to use us for something good.
Hang in there; even four days late He was right on time.

~Be encouraged by knowing God knows your hurt and wants to heal you.

Love Everyday!

I remember being in kindergarten to elementary school and my mom would purchase a box of valentine's day cards. I would sit and write all the names of my classmates on them and hand them out when it was time.  Sometimes our classroom moms would bring in cakes and candies for us to enjoy.  Do you remember those days?  

There was one classmate, whom I will call Ennis, who didn't have cards to hand out. He would sit in the corner with his jacket on and watch as the rest of his classmates would pass out their cards. He would receive his and sit them on his desk after he read each one. When the goodies were passed out, he enjoyed them so much, he was ready for seconds sooner  than the rest of us kids were. 

As I look back into my memory of that one day, I can see hurt in Ennis' eyes. Who knew what was happening at home or after school, or even what his thoughts were.  I can only imagine what happened to Ennis. I wish good in his life, but what if in his life he didn't know what it was like to really experience a hug, an "I love  you" or a good night kiss from his parents. My heart aches for children and people who do not know what that feels like. 

I imagine it is an empty feeling inside that is indescribable. I imagine it hurts the same as when a marriage breaks apart or a boyfriend / girlfriend breaks your heart; empty on the inside. 

When your heart breaks where do you turn? Do you read valentine cards that were once sent to you? 

Do you listen to the radio and fill your heart with songs? Do you read a romance novel or a "do it yourself" or a "self improvement" book?  

We all have our hearts broken at one time or another.  What do you do fill your broken heart with? 

Here are a few ideas to help you feel better on a day that you see everyone around you receiving lots of love when you have a broken heart. 

1. Read encouraging words from previous birthday or valentine cards
2. Listen to love songs that encourage you like "Remind Me Who I Am" by Jason Gray, "Hello My Name Is" by Matthew West or "Jesus Loves Me" by the Old Country Church and NOT "Diary" by Bread, "November Rain" by Guns N Roses, and  "I Will Always Love You" by Whitney Houston or Dolly Parton 
3. Get together with a friend and have lunch or dinner and talk about the good things happening in life
4. Go shopping for an outfit or something else that will make you look like a million bucks
5. Go to the spa or pamper yourself in the luxury of your own home with encouraging songs playing in the background
6. Watch a comedy movie, cook popcorn or some other comfort food and invite your friend over to watch it with you
7. Call your sister or brother up and sing "You Are My Sunshine!"  It will make you and them feel good
8. Visit a nursing home, a cancer center, the pediatric ward at a hospital and visit those that are without someone special to visit them.  When you arrive; they have someone special with them. 
9. Mail out valentine cards to your family or friends, coworkers or classmates
10. Buy yourself some flowers, enjoy them and then get a mirror and tell yourself how much you are loved

~Be encouraged, everyday should be an "I love you" day not just once a year. You could do any of these suggestions a month; challenge yourself to add to this list too.  

You are loved today and EVERY DAY because you ARE SPECIAL!

I use to go around my house singing "You and Me Against the World," but now I sing "Jesus Loves Me."  It changed my perspective on how I view the love I had for myself. It went from unloving to loving. Your view can change too!  

Lust vs Love for Valentine's Day

Valentine's day use to be my favorite time of the year because of the box of cards I would sign and pass out, the candy or gifts that I would receive from an admirer or my spouse. Yet, in this season of my life it is different because every day is a sweetheart's day. Why have one day to celebrate love?
Do you remember going shopping with your mom and picking out the valentine's day cards for your classmates? Did you wait with excitement to see what your admirer was going to give you? My heart still leaps when I think about those days gone by.
I recently saw this image and immediately thought about the paths my own life has taken. Maybe you can see the road your life has taken you on with lust too.  It does not last, it makes you feel used and unappreciated. Lust will lie to you too. Once I recognized lust in my life, and I hope you recognize it too, than I was able to look into what LOVE really is.

When I began searching for true love I was amazed at what I learned and there was such freedom. I can't wait to share it with you.

I will hope that you and your daughter, sister, cousin, or friend wants to be loved for just being you. When I realized I didn't have to "do" anything to be loved, tears fell down my face. I do not have to perform, I do not have to look perfect, act perfect, walk perfect, perform perfectly, nor talk perfect. I can be me and so can you.  You don't have to have to wear a certain size, cook a right way, act perfect or talk perfect.You don't have to be anyones trophy to look at either. Hey, you don't have to show skin to be loved either! 

You see, God loves you just as you are. He loves you with tattoos and without. He loves you with piercings and without, and He loves you just because.  Hey, sit still. DO NOT MOVE!  Play green light red light in your head. When you get to the red light hold still. You didn't move, right? You didn't scroll, type, answer a phone or anything right?  That is how God loves you, just for you being a human being. He created you for the purpose of Him loving you. 

This valentine's day you may be all alone or have a date to go on, but take time to find out about the One who loves you with an everlasting, unconditional, unstoppable, and undaunted love!  His name is Jesus and He admires you.

~Be encouraged, You are loved just as you are.