Tuesday, January 22, 2013

In my 29 years...

My parents taught me how to love. 
 (In that "Unconditional" kind of way)

My husband taught me how to love. 
(In that "smile on your face when your thinking about them" kind of way)

My children taught me how to love.
 (In that "will do anything and sacrifice to make them happy" kind of way)

My friends taught me how to love. 
(In that "I'll always listen" kind of way)

Christ taught me how to love. 
(In that "lead by perfect example" kind of way)

 LOVE looks different, feels different, and is reciprocated differently as we walk through life. To understand parental love is to hold your child for the first time and feel that sensation that rocks your soul. That love that explodes inside of you as you look inside the eyes of your flesh, the love that chills your bones when their spirits are broken, the love that consumes you when they squeeze your hand or kiss your cheek.  Love -I had no idea existed and so glad I was able to find. To understand true love of a partner is to join hands in prayer over a sick baby, laugh in memory of what date nights used to look like, to lean on for support in times of need, and assurance that there is only 1 person who knows the real you!  To understand the love of a friend is to know that any time is good to call/talk, that no matter how frivolous an issue they will hear you out, and most importantly having a sister in Christ who always seems to be leading you back to him. To understand our savior's love is to look in the book of Corinthians ...
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in partand we prophesy in part, 10 but when completeness comes,what is in part disappears. 11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. 12 For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. 

I'm so incredibly blessed on my 29 th birthday...To have experienced such love.  My hope for this year is to show others love like Christ intended. To not anger easily, to see the best in all situations, to have no enemies, and quite frankly -love like a child. My boys are the best role models for that. They love with a pure heart, no holding back, and with no criteria! I will strive to have an elementary love this year. Very simple but deliberate. 

Thanks to all who have shown me love today with phone calls, texts, emails or hugs. I feel your love... it puts a smile on my face and a sweet song in my heart. Glory be to God for a wonderful day and many to come. 
Xoxo-bday girl

((quick shout out to a special little lady- Collins Henderson -on her first birthday! I'm so thankful for this precious baby and her sweet momma... I'm glad we will forever be connected by sharing our special day!  I hope your day is filled with as much love and kisses as mine has been!))

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

In Christ alone, my hope is found

My heart is heavy, sad, and sick for the recent loss of innocent life around me.  I know two separate families struggling with the loss of a child and the other dealing with a recent terminal diagnoses of their baby.  A third, delivering a stillborn after a heathly full term pregnancy. I'm unable to articulate the pain and heartbreak I'm feeling.  My thoughts are consummed with fear of what this broken sinful life holds for my own family. My tears are from a moms eyes ... Eyes that can't imagine a life without my children -without the constant hold you's, luwv you's, or fank you's.  A day without purpose, without hope, without joy. I realize my heart is captured by them, my little men.  I empathize with the grief these families must feel.  To wake knowing a bed is forever empty, a car seat in the rear view mirror missing, or a favorite toy abandon -makes me physically ill.  In times like this I'm reminded that I must rely on our Lord. I must trust that he knows what's best for my family and the path ahead is blessed with deliberate purpose and intense thought.  That life's test rarely weaken your faith but ultimately challenges it to grow. My prayer today is not one that dwells on the future hurdles we will encounter but the grace we will need in dealing with those troubles. 

Lord prepare my heart, mind, and body for whatever trials I may face. Help me to glorify your name in the difficult days but most importantly today!  Lord I trust your word, feel your love, and crave your presence in my life. Help these families as they brave the coming hours, days, and weeks. Work in their hearts -that they will find peace and joy once again.  Help those siblings, grandparents, friends and family to see your works through this pain and ultimately feel your love shinning down on them.  Thank you for the strength you give us daily and the opportunity to grow in spiritual maturity when tested.  Thank you for your ultimate sacrifice, your only son.  A sacrifice I didnt understand so completely until now. 

In Christ alone, my hope is found
He is my light my strength my song
The cornerstone The solid ground
Firm through the fiercest drought or storm

What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, When strivings cease
My comforter , my all in all
Here in the love of Christ I stand

In Christ alone, who took on flesh
Fulness of God in helpless babe
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones he came to save

Til on that cross as Jesus died
The wrath of God was satisfied 
For evry sin on him was laid
Here in the death of Christ I live 

There in the ground his body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain
Then, bursting forth in glorious day
Up from the grave he rose Again

And as he stands in victory
Sins curse has lost its grip on me
For I am his and he is mine
Bought with the precious blood of Christ 

No guilt in life, no fear in death
This is the powr of Christ in me
From life's first cry to final breath 
Jesus commands my final destiny

No pow'r of hell no scheme of man
Could ever pluck me from his hand
Til he returns or calls me home
Here in the pow'r of Christ I'll stand. 

(wonderful song that has gotten Wes and I through so much)
Blessings -Ev