The decision to love and no more than love.

You are selfish.You are wrong. You are not good.

You are offended.

Why are you offended?

Sit on that and think about it.

This is to challenge others as well as myself.

When was the last time you re-evaluated your life and your actions (or lack of actions) towards others?

One of the biggest things about marriage is that you learn so much about yourself as well as the other because you are constantly and consistently with someone who experiences your every fiber. The good, and the horrifically bad. Imagine them standing in front of you holding a mirror in front of you, and you to that person. They catch you at every angle - the good side and the bad side. You help each other see how the other person perceives you and the perspective in which they stand. Do you like what you see? I know it's easy to say you don't like what you see in the other person, but do you like what you see about yourself?

God has always spoken to me throughout my life. He's orchestrated things so beautifully to point back to Him, but the concept of Jesus dying on the cross for me to give me another chance is still a lot to take in. Our sins are repetitive and it is impossible to be perfect, but still Jesus' blood cleanses that every. single. time. 

I feel wronged by people sometimes; people I consider(ed) close friends or family. I get hurt by them. I get overly neurotic and sensitive and I try to over compensate & replay scenarios in my head. I try and devise a way to feel "complete" again by having the balance of our friendship back to where I think it should be. When the heart of the matter isn't reciprocated, I crumble - usually.

But I have decided that I will just love the best I can and do no more than love. I will practice patience, kindness, not to be envious, not to be boastful, not to be proud, not to be dishonorable, not to be self-seeking, not to be easily angered, KEEP NO RECORD OF WRONGS (that's a toughie.. friends know I tend to never forget ;) ).. always protect, trust, hope, persevere...  Meaning: 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 does not just apply to your spouse. IT IS THE LOVE that God intends for everyone.

Verse 8 has to be my favorite: "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."

We will fail miserably in this world, but we might as well try. Try to be better. Try to forgive. Try to forget. Try to be kind. Try to trust. Try to persevere.

Sprinkle some of the goodness that has been poured upon you so that someone else can experience grace however big or small.