Real love

It's been a few months since I've written. I feel like a whole chapter of my life happened since April, even though nothing hugely eventful has really occurred. What has occurred are what most people go through in life. Challenging circumstances, encouraging moments, happy memories being built, new places being explored, and learning more and more about myself as all of these things take place. Most importantly learning how much I need to rely on God and how good God really is even when it doesn't feel that way. I believe that God has already written my story and it's a love story indeed. God is in the center of my love story because he always wants to be my first love. My children are in my love story because He has entrusted me with them and they teach me to love in ways I would never know otherwise. My family is in my story because their unconditional love is deep and they are there for me when I need them most. My church family is there for me as I am also there for them because we work together and love and serve one another and that is what makes us the body of Christ. Last, but not least, my boyfriend has been there for me. God has placed him in my life at just the right time. I was having such a challenging emotional time recently and I started blaming him and other situations for how I was feeling. I even felt like maybe I just wanted to be alone and away from the challenges that a relationship brings.  Instead of being upset, he encouraged me. This is what he wrote to me in an email a few days ago:

Those things that are most precious to us we must fight for!  Hebrews 12:1 states that we should run with perseverance the race marked out for us! Sylvester Stallone suggests that we should 'get up an' keep fightin' when we fall!!!  Lets not give up only to look back and imagine the great relationship we could have, but rather dispatch the Russian oppressor and seize what is ours... our love for each other!  There's no easy way!

"For where two or thee gather in my name, there I am with them" -Matt 18:20

"Love never fails." -1 Cor 1:13

Today marks 10 months of dating him. I grow more in love with him as the months go by. It doesn't always feel like "love" when doubts and insecurities creep in. However that does not mean it is not love. Love really is exactly how God defines it in the bible. It is patient and kind, not selfish..it is not rude..indeed love (real love) never fails.