I Want To Be Loved–Part 2 (Single Girl Valentine’s Confessions)

February 3, 2015

I Want To Be Loved–Part 2 (Single Girl Valentine’s Confessions)

It’s tough being single on Valentine’s Day. As soon as Christmas is over, the stores are full of red hearts, love balloons, and Valentine’s Day merchandise. Hallmark Channel even plays non-stop Love movies! Yes, I get sucked into watching each one. Yes, I am a hopeful romantic.

Yes, I love reading the sweet greeting cards in the store aisles offered to the man of our life. It’s embarrassing to tell you, but years ago, I bought several beautifully-written Valentine’s Cards, perfect for my future husband. Perhaps it was like a a self-fulfilling prophecy to buy those cards expressing such deep, unconditional love for the man I know God has for me.

This simple gesture alone makes Valentine’s Day even HARDER for a single. A hopeful, romantic single.

Last Valentine’s Day was different. It was a cold night. I built a cozy fire. I was excited. I was ready. It was time to write my Love Letter. Opening my journal, the following is the Love Letter penned on those pages:

Dearest Lover of My Soul,

Happy Valentine’s Day! Thank you for being my First Love, today and always.

Thank you, Lord, for pointing out and healing the idolatry sin I have suffered for my future husband for years without even realizing it. My heart is changed. Please forgive me.

Holy Spirit, I want to be content in my singleness. Help me. Tonight I look forward to building a fire, taking my old store-bought Valentine’s cards bought for my future husband, and burning them as an offering to You. I am Yours. You are mine. I am at peace.

My Rock and My Redeemer, Gentle Healer, it is an honor to convey a portion of my immense love for You. No journal, no library can record all my love, dear Jesus. Thank you for loving me. Every breath is for You, precious Lord.

How may I serve You more? On this Valentine’s Day, I recommit my life to You. It is You and You alone who I need. (Not the only man I want, I admit). Right now, make me more of a vessel for You and Your Gospel. I want to be your humble ambassador, Your spokesman who only utters worthy, not worthless words. (Jeremiah 15:19). May it be so.

“Speak, for Your servant is listening.” (1 Samuel 3:10)

I Love You With My Whole Heart,

Danya, Your Daughter of the King

Since the Bible is God’s Love Letter, I had finally written my Love Letter to Jesus. That night transformed Valentine’s Day for me. Contentment came.

I’m looking so forward to Valentine’s Day in less than two weeks. Bring it.

Stay tuned next week for an encouraging message from Guest Blogger Teresa Tarrant on how to heal a broken marriage.

Reflect:

–Are you content in your circumstances? Please comment.

–How can you express your love for God more?

Renew:

“Because Your love is better than life, my lips will glorify You. I will praise You as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands.” –Psalm 63: 3-4 NIV

“‘My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.'” –John 15:12-13 NIV

“I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation. ” –Philippians 4:12 NIV

“Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.” –1 Timothy 4:12 NIV.

Recharge:

–Write your Love Letter to Jesus.

–The Bible is God’s Love Letter to us. Please read it daily.

January 27, 2015

I Want To Be Loved–Part 1

I admit it. I want to be loved.

Our hearts are wired to love and be loved.

Since we are two weeks and a few days from Valentine’s Day, I confess that it’s hard to walk into a store and not be reminded of my singleness. It used to bother me so much. God sure did have to work on my heart to help me realize I’m being used in my singleness.

Guess what? I have some refreshing news!

No matter if you are married or single, you are loved because “God is love.” (1 John 4:16b NIV 1984). Jesus and His Love are really the cornerstone of Christianity.

Love is the divine glue that binds us together, giving us the freedom and deep desire to be more, to serve and love others, to do our best.

You know what Jesus said were the two most important laws to follow?

“Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.“ (Matthew 22: 37-40 NIV84).

Isn’t it wonderful and such a relief to know that the two most important “rules” Jesus wants us to follow are to love Him wholeheartedly and love others. By the way, our “neighbor” is everyone.

Many of you may be familiar with the well-known “Love Chapter” in 1 Corinthians 13, often read at weddings. Let’s look at this passage carefully, differently and challenge ourselves.

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, 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.” (1 Corinthians 13:4-8a NIV84).

Now for the challenge. In this passage, replace your own name with the word “Love” and read it aloud. Whew. It’s a tall order. I sure do fall short of living this.

For Valentine’s Day last year I gave my precious Mom a card. Inside I wrote her name in this passage. For those who know my beloved Mom, Maxine Jordan, she is June Cleaver and Jesus all wrapped up in one beautiful package. She lives this. She is love.

“Maxine is patient, Maxine is kind. She does not envy, she does not boast, she is not proud. Maxine is not rude, she is not self-seeking, she is not easily angered, she keeps no record of wrongs. Maxine does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. Maxine always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Maxine never fails.”

Dear friend, you are loved and you are love. Let’s live it out loud. Let’s live love.

Stay tuned next Tuesday for Part Two of this “Love Series.” I’ll let you know my confessions and how last Valentine’s Day changed my whole perspective on this romantic holiday…

Reflect:

–How will you love more with your heart, starting today?

–Do you love the Lord? If so, do you love Him with your head or your heart? Are you ready to love Him more deeply?

Renew:

–“May your unfailing love rest upon us, O Lord, even as we put our hope in You.” (Psalm 33:22 NIV84).

–“Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God…And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like Him… We love because He first loved us.” (1 John 4: 7, 16, 17, 19 NIV84).

Recharge:

–Which people or strangers will you demonstrate love to this week?

–Open you Bible and read some daily from it. Feel the Love pouring forth on you.

August 26, 2014

A Parent’s Unconditional Love Rises Above Cerebral Palsy and Cancer, Post #45

Editor’s Note: This story I first told on February 18th. Judy Brooks lost her valiant battle to cancer on March 11th. We love and miss you, Judy. Tim, Sherrie and Terrie, this blog’s for you!

The saying goes that we can pick our friends but we can’t pick our families. I am so thankful my family was picked for me. I have some precious jewels as family members. My first cousin Judy and her son Tim are examples of good people, good friends, good family members, and they have taught the world how to demonstrate love beautifully.

Tim was born with cerebral palsy in 1963. Tim’s doctors told the family he wouldn’t be able to walk. Judy’s parents, Tim’s grandparents, lived down the street from me growing up. They built a “walkway” with little handrails for Tim to prove the doctors and everyone wrong. With much prayer and perseverance, at three years old, Tim walked. No is not an option with the Lord and perseverance as your rear guard.

Over the years, it has been a joy to watch Judy, her husband and family love on Tim and encourage him. I watched Tim graduate from high school in 1983. One of Tim’s most proud accomplishments was receiving his degrees from Cape Fear Community College, a degree in Business Administration (1999) and Accounting (2001). We celebrated Tim’s 40^th birthday in 2003 and 50th in 2013.

Like many in our family, Tim has such a servant heart and strong work ethic; he works at Easter Seals. Tim is brilliant. Although his speech is slurred, when you look into his big hazel eyes, you can understand him perfectly.

In December 2006, Tim had a stroke leaving him paralyzed except his left hand. His caregiver, Scott, taught him how to bowl using a ramp to assist him. Tim competed for two years in the NC State Olympics Bowling Tournament. In 2012, he received a first place medal and in 2013, a third place medal.

One detail I left out is that Tim’s mother Judy was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2004, and fought her stage four breast cancer while taking care of Tim and her family, her friends, her neighbors. Judy said, “It breaks my heart to watch my child struggle with his special needs but nothing like the pain God felt when His only son was nailed to that cross.”

It’s touching to watch how much the lavishing love of family and friends can bolster a soul, bolster a whole life, like Tim’s. They danced (Judy and her husband danced like professionals), laughed, prayed together, ate supper together, went to church together, served others together.

Through her doctor’s visits and chemo treatments, Judy’s effervescent, positive, Godly perspective encouraged Tim, her family and friends–all of us. She fought valiantly and lost her battle to cancer on March 11th. I was blessed to be try to honor Judy’s life in words at the funeral. It was also a treat to give Tim a big hug and see Judy’s precious adult twin daughters Sherrie and Terrie Brooks.

Another inspiring Godly parent and child relationship is that of Dick and his son Richard Hoyt. Although I have never had the pleasure of meeting them, their story resonates in my heart. Richard was born with severe cerebral palsy. He and his Dad Dick enjoy triathlons. Dick carries Richard all the way, pulling him in the ocean as they swim, pushing him as they run, and carrying him on his bicycle for the cycling portion of the race.

Isn’t that a perfect image of how our Heavenly Father, our Abba—which means “Daddy”—carries us?

Just like God chose Judy, Tim and me to be part of the same family, and Dick and Richard Hoyt, God chooses us as part of His family. The love shared between Judy and Tim, Dick and Richard, is a touching example of the love God shares for us as His imperfect children. You are chosen. Feel the love.

“Then a cloud appeared and enveloped them, and a voice came from the cloud: “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!” –Mark 9:7

Enjoy this inspiring video link of Dick and Richard Hoyt’s persevering journeys together.

Father and Son Persevere in Triathlon

Reflect:

–What can you learn from the loving relationship of Judy and Tim, Dick and Richard Hoyt? Please comment below.

–How can you love differently based on this?

Renew:

–“Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.” –Isaiah 46:4

–“You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. This is my command: Love each other.” –John 15:16

Recharge:

–Seek out one family member, friend or neighbor to lavish love on this week and beyond.

–Open your Bible and feel your Abba, Heavenly Daddy, loving on you, speaking to you.

Resource:

Judy Brook’s obituary

http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/starnewsonline/obituary.aspx?pid=170142131