Inspired by a Quote:

"Do not think that love, in order to be genuine, has to be extraordinary. What we need is to love without getting tired."-Mother Teresa



Burdened by the attribute of love is a wound most lie unaware of.
When love flutters and carries our souls, we find existing simple and divine.
We see a world of color hidden to the eyes of those in forced affection.
Love can bring the fresh breath of new dawn or strike an empty hollow hole.
Where will you seek to let your heart tread?
With burden or blessings, simplicity or grievance?
When you love another, do you face exhaustion or refreshed by the blessed new hope?

Love is simply stated. Love is a a longing we all face. Love is a craving and fulfillment. Love is meant to produce energized endearment.

We need not find the complexity of love, but the most raw form of genuine expression. Look to find the honesty, and your labor will not be in vain. You will find yourself revived from love and feel loved more in the same!

Love.

Oh they joys of falling in love. We all know the moments and memories!! The feelings that sweep you literally off your feet and then as if your body carried no wait your head is suddenly in the clouds and you cant control yourself!

This morning my alarm went off and a song came on, which Im sure is popular at the moment but it was the first time I heard it. I love love love when my alarm goes off and God gives me something huge to think on. It always does one of two things. Either Im going to lie in bed and really ponder the heart of my God. OR I am going to get up and really challenge my own heart!

This morning was the latter. How many times do you hear, "Dont settle?" I would say most of us at some point in the dating scheme have been reminded of what we are worth and not to settle for less. Some of us hold out and wait for the "desire of our heart." And others of us end up "ok" with so much less than we deserve. So much less than our loving God wants for us in life.

This blog is not about relationships though! Ha. Take all the thoughts that came to mind while reading thus far and now focus on this:

"Have you ever really fallen head over heals for your GOD?"

Has He ever become THAT real to you? Has HE been you sole focus and distraction from life or is life the distraction on a consistent basis? When is the last time you let Him swoon you? When have you let go because He was the only thing you wanted?

And to take it a step further, when did you let your relationship with God and your love for Him be every bit as intense as it possibly could be? Are you in a relationship with God that is a "settling point" or are you challenging yourself to have the relationship with Him that He meant for you? Are you allowing Him to reveal His whole self to you? Or do you want to settle for the relationship that doesnt need maintaining or upkeep?

Listen to these lyrics and then reflect on what you have allowed yourself to settle for, then maybe you will find a the challenge I did this morning to step in with a little more determination and enthusiasm to catch who He really is and how much our hearts are truly drawn to HIS!


Give me rules I will break them
Give me lines I will cross them
I need more than a truth to believe
I need a truth that lives, moves, and breathes
To sweep me off my feet
It ought to be

More like falling in love
Than something to believe in
More like losing my heart
Than giving my allegiance
Caught up, called out
Come take a look at me now
It's like I'm falling, oh
It's like I'm falling in love

Give me words I'll misuse them
Obligations I'll misplace them
'Cause all religion ever made of me
Was just a sinner with a stone tied to my feet
It never set me free
It's gotta be

...It's like I'm falling in love, love, love
Deeper and deeper
It was love that made
Me a believer
In more than a name, a faith, a creed
Falling in love with Jesus brought the change in me


I dont know about you, but as far as my relationship with my God goes, Id rather my head be in the clouds than a stone tied to my feet!

What do you expect from you relationship?

True Beauty.

Have you ever seen Wisteria? The purple flowers that look like grapes? I have always been completely mesmerized by these flowers! The vines grow so delicate and climb to reveal various sizes of these purple flowers! The flowers hang from the vines with both beauty and gentle simplicity.

I understand that not all of you will have an appreciation for flowers, but no skimming allowed..ha. Follow me for a second! ;)

Tonight I was driving and I saw around three or four Wisteria plants, full grown. They were planted in the middle of the yard! They were growing like mad, but they were given nothing to climb. They were still beautiful and producing incredible fruit, but they were missing that piece that always made me stand in awe.

Made me think about our lives and how at times we do the same. We may have a wonderful life. We may be content and happy, but what is beauty without awe? Have you given yourself what you need in order to reach your full potential? Are you challenging yourself enough to really be eye catching or are you settling for the type of beauty that come naturally with little to no effort or upkeep?

For the wisteria, all if needed was a post or fence or something to climb. For us it can be many things, but think today about what you have neglected to give yourself to challenge that true beauty? The kind from the inside that makes others notice a difference. Because if you cause people to stop and watch and you are living for God, they may just find something more than surface level. They may step up to the challenge as well!

Just a simple thought:

Dont forget to appreciate people and enjoy the simple conversations! Take time to talk and connect. I am speaking very much to myself at this moment! I am the worlds worst at getting so caught up in the moment and so busy with the "to do's" that I let others fall by the wayside. But today in a wonderful conversation, I was reminded that a simple conversation and wonderful laughter can make the difference between a good and bad day! So dont miss the humor and the connection as result of being busy! Life goes on...and it will never matter where you are going if you dont have others there with you when you get there.

Comforted by His Company

"I will never leave you..."

We all hear this reminder. It is often spoke as comfort. To ease the present situation. To know you are not standing in difficulty on your own. This is a true statement. However, as a challenge to us through this verse. Try to contemplate it for the week. Keep it on mind. We should all think of what it means in light of this question: "Where are you taking Him."

God states boldly that "[He] will never leave [us] or forsake us." But with that in mind what direction are you walking in life. Have you ever stopped mid plans to think about what you are dragging your relationship with God through? Or on the contrary, are you letting God lead you? Are you following where He guides? Life is not all serious. I understand that, but in light of comparison, think for a moment about a relationship in modern day. Would you be madly in love with a guy and then drag him along as you flirt and tease the guy at the bar? Would you take your pastor to the party this weekend? Would you expect your parents to follow willingly on your date? Some of you live a life "above reproach." To those these wouldnt be difficult, although unlikely to offer any chance of a cheating heart. But the party you would attend would be fine to include a pastor. Your night out would be no different with your parents in tow. But for others we live an "out of sight out of mind" type lifestyle.

What would you do different this week if you realized the truth in God's words "I will never leave you?" What decisions would you think twice about and what reflection of a Christian would you present? I cant help but wonder if this mindset would reverse the reputation Christians have obtained...if the consistency and genuine lifestyle would make a difference.

So go through your normal week knowing that you are not alone! It is a verse that comforts our hearts in difficulty, but He is around for more than just our broken and shattered lives. He is here for the joyful moments and the thankful moments as well. Acknowledgment can make a world of difference. And letting Him take the reigns a while may really surprise you! You may find that your life is rich with opportunity that your choices didn't allow you to see!

Have a blessed week and know that you are not alone! He has your back every step of the way!

Its not Over Over

I heard a story today about a kid at a baseball game. The team they were there to cheer for was down by 10 or 11 runs in the top of the 7th. The dad wanted to leave. The child asked is it over? To which the dad replied "Yes, sort of." The boy looked intently and repeated "No, is it over-over?"

I went to the Vanderbilt Auburn game here in Nashville a couple years back and remember the frustration of watching my team plummet. We had had a wonderful season and to beat Vandi would have been icing on the cake. However at the start of the fourth I was ready to leave. The game was done. I knew the outcome wouldnt be pretty. I knew it would leave me even more frustrated that I already was. Sometimes, accepting the inevitable is better than facing reality...but at those times we need to have the perspective of a kid. The perseverence of a child. The vision of innocence. Because its not OVER-over.

May I be so bold as to ask: What in your life feels over? What is it that you are trying to accomplish that people around you are walking out, telling you its "over?" Those are the moments you need to face the fact that its not over over...you never know when the end result holds the element of surprise. Or the determination to overcome is what you are suppose to walk away with on the other side. Dig your heels in and stand firm.

Even the Bible is full of instances that are left to mystery. Not everything can make sense or be predicted. Sometimes we have faith, and that's it. Sometimes, your faith is what carries you through. SO...keep praying, keep working, keep believing. You never know when the answers, the yes, the faith or the payoff is right around the corner! BECAUSE ITS NOT OVER OVER. :)

We all have an issue with "Madness"

So on Wed this week Gillian had a really rough day. I must say there was obviously something in the air, you know, since she is the most well mannered kid on the planet! ha. Anywho. She argued, sassed, and even manipulated for the majority of the day. Every time I attempted to offer a consequence it was thrown back in my face. (I didnt want to have a playdate, I wasnt planning to watch any tv, who wants to have a treat not me) So after a full on battle of the wills, I brought my day to its conclusion.

I must say, children may not always win, but when you lay them to sleep at the end of the day, I am glad they don't know how close they are to shutting us down. ha. I was exhausted. Worn down and discouraged. Unsure of how tomorrow would end up. However, to my relief, Thursday was incredibly pleasant. Then on Friday when we were discussing how all of the kids "panned out" on the allowance chart, Gillian and I had a deep heart to heart. She is too young to earn an allowance, but we do check marks for her chores (bed teeth toys and behavior) After a LONG calm conversation about the way we act and the perception we give others of our character she utters this as an offering of a humble apologetic plea.

"I'm sorry Lisa, next week I will try to control my madness."

After a lovely tear wrenching laugh with her, she promised to be better. I left that Friday with a mindful. You know we are all in Gillian's shoes. We all have our own bouts of "madness." The question is do you stop and listen to be humble and realize where your "madness" lies? Is it anger, hate, judgment, jealousy, or is it simple laziness? What ever your weakness, know that our God desires to have a heart to heart conversation with each of us as well, not to condemn. Not to ridicule. He desires to encourage us to be better. To recognize areas we can attempt to improve.

Reminds me of the fact that God doesn't call those who are improved. He calls those willing to improve. He doesn't expect any of us to take a single step on our own. He wants to love us where we are and help us see what we can become! He sees the bigger picture and wants to give us the vision.

I challenge everyone, including myself, to listen humbly to the areas God is encouraging you to improve! Allow yourself to feel empowered to improve not discouraged by the process.

Have a blessed weekend and know that every step you take, there is opportunity waiting for your arrival! Enjoy.