A fight with my husband during a mid-week family outing led me to my Mother's door the following morning. She brewed me some coffee and reminded me that love is hard. It's a job you have to work at every day. Then she proceeded to whip out the ingredients for 4 dozen cupcakes and homemade frosting that she'd purchased earlier in the week. Together, we baked for the birthday party and I left her house feeling full and open. You see, God was beginning a story in my life. One that would lead me back deep into His Word, where I had long been absent.
My mom was right. Love is hard. It goes against our very human nature. We are wired to self-preserve and to survive. God gave us an amazing gift, though---the ability to share and help one another. He wrapped this package up for us, called it love, and He commands us to fight our human nature and to put His gift to use.
The world would be a kinder, gentler place if we were all overflowing with love all the time, but we aren't. Satan knows that his work is light among those filled with hate and resentment, so he puts in overtime to plant bitter seeds among loving hearts. Love IS hard. It's a constant battle fighting off the enemy. We are incredibly lucky that God gives us full armor and a roadmap to protect us from Satan's warfare. What about non-believers? Well, He tells us what to do about that too...they will know us by our love.
I am not a counselor or a minister. I am a sinner with a story to tell. I know that God is calling me to write down my story and to share my walk with you. It's a public profession, not of any profound wisdom, but the hope that we can learn together what He has in store for us.
I begin my story today. The day of my strongest conviction. I pray that He will lead me through 100 Love Lessons this year. I cannot promise that they will arrive on any sort of schedule, so I hope you are patient. I encourage each of you to open your hearts to The Lord and share your stories with me as well.
