Sunday, February 17, 2013

Sideshow Distractions


Good Sunday to all of you!!  How’s your weekend going?  I hope good!

Here in Massachusetts it is snowing again, and I can’t get out too easily for church, so I have decided to make a pot of hot green tea with a dab of honey to sweeten, snuggle in and get back to my neglected writing.  Yay!

So, this weekend my husband is off on a business trip and I planned to get lots done around the house in his absence. (I know – not much fun, but, I’ve put it off long enough.)  I was diligent and Friday night made a nice to-do list of all I wanted to accomplish on Saturday after dropping him at the airport shuttle.  I was determined to catch up on some much needed chores and my blog. 

S0, I drop off my husband (yes, I will miss him, but am looking forward to the alone time!) and get back to the house around 6:30am.  Unfortunately I am nearly delirious from yet another insomnia all-nighter and decide to lie down for a little while to refresh my eyes and clear the brain fog. 

Silly me;
After drinking 2 cups of fully caffeinated coffee I thought I would be able to sleep?
Haha!

Still, I lay down and I might have drifted off for a few minutes here and there, but after an hour or so, gave up and got up – yep, still dragging. My eyes weren’t quite so blurry though and I was determined to get to my to-do list.  You know – the usual household chores, cleaning, laundry, meal planning, Grocery store.  Making a few important phone calls, checking and returning emails.  Having a good work out.  And having a nice, long writing session, catching up on the blog.  A lengthy list, but I intended to work hard and have a very productive day. 

Well…you know what they say about good intentions – actually, I can’t really remember how that saying goes.  But I do know that I really did have good intentions to get a lot done so I could spend Sunday relaxing and visiting with friends.  How much did I actually get done though?  Not much!  Why?

D-I-S-T-R-A-C-T-I-O-N-S!

I let myself be so distracted by other things.  Uuugggh!!  I hate it when that happens!  Yet I seem to allow myself to be distracted by the same old things, time after time.  And if it’s not an old thing distracting me, it’s some kind of new, exciting thing calling my name, enticing me to come have a look.  Right?  Does this happen to you too?  I get so mad sometimes for letting myself get so distracted.  I have the best intentions in the world and gear myself up for whatever task I have before me, and then wham! I’m blindsided and off I go again on some other jaunt.  Ugh!

My usual distraction is trying to figure out what in the world I’m going to wear.  But, as I already knew it would be a comfy sweats day, I didn’t have that distraction this time.  Well, obviously my mind had to come up with something else with which to tempt me if it couldn't use clothes, the fear of looking unstylish, fat or frumpy, too old, or trying to look too young, etc.  Or my hair.  We won’t even get into that issue.  But somehow, at 9:00 last night, I found myself sitting at my laptop wondering where the day had gone and why it was that I couldn't concentrate on putting two sentences together.  Have you ever felt like that?

Well, let’s see, here’s where my day might have gone:
·       I didn’t get any cleaning done – but, wait – I did watch a movie I had been wanting to see – which turned out to be something I shouldn't have been watching anyway.
·       And I did take in a great episode of Love It or List It on HGTV, which has me distracted now with new decorating ideas.
·       I didn’t get any email answered, but I did master an online puzzle, spider solitaire, and another game I don’t know what was.
·       I did get a load of clothes in the wash, but they haven’t made it into the dryer yet.
·       I didn’t get my work-out in, unless you count running the vacuum in the living room to pick up the pretzel crumbs I dropped.
·       Pretzels because I didn’t make it to the store to get any real food. 
·       I didn’t get my phone calls made, but I did have a lively texting conversation with an old friend.
·       I didn’t get the fridge cleaned out, however, I did get the dishes done!

So, actually, I did have a pretty busy day – a day full of sideshow distractions!  And apparently, I’m not the only one who spends time with these.  Hooray!! It’s nice to know I am not alone in my wanton partaking of this fun but totally unproductive malady.   What in the world am I talking about?  Haha!  This:

Keep vigilant watch over your heart; that’s where life starts. Don’t talk out of both sides of your mouth; avoid careless banter, white lies, and gossip. Keep your eyes straight ahead; ignore all sideshow distractions. Watch your step, and the road will stretch out smooth before you. Look neither right nor left; leave evil in the dust. 

Wow – I don’t think I have ever read that version (New Living Translation) before.  It hit home to me today.  What comes to mind when you think of a sideshow?  A circus?  That’s what I thought of.  A sideshow to me sounds like a funny or scary secondary show in a traveling circus or carnival.  And you know, when I think of how easily I was distracted by silly things yesterday - in truth, how easily I am distracted any time - it is funny.  And sometimes it’s scary to me that I keep falling for the same old distractions, even when I set my mind to watch out for them.  Can you relate?

But, hey, no problem! – The answer is here.  Our direction in this Scripture says to keep vigilant watch over our hearts, because that is where life starts.  All kinds of life.  Good and not so good.  In the same passage it says to avoid sideshow distractions.  

So, maybe sideshow distractions can get rooted in our hearts
And begin to grow there?
 And once they begin to grow, we are more susceptible to them?

Woah – is that the case with me and my issues with clothes and hair and wanting to look just right all the time?  Because I haven’t ignored it, I’ve let that distraction gain ground in my heart, which gives it life and a stronger hold on me?  And maybe I also have a subconscious rebellion to being responsible all the time growing in my heart?  That’s why I was so easily and thoroughly distracted away from my chores yesterday? 

Because I have given these distractions life by allowing them to pull me in
again and again?

Hmmmm…. 
Light bulb moment for me.

How about you? Are there distractions taking hold and gaining life in your heart?

Wow - I am still realizing the light that has just been shown on my heart.  I definitely need to do some gardening and see what else I find.  But what I know now is this:

If we keep our “eye on the prize” so to speak, or as the Scripture verse says, straight ahead: or more simply put – if we put our hearts into concentrating on the task in front of us - we will be more aware of what distractions we might see or hear, enticingly calling us to come out and play. By putting our hearts into it, I mean putting our whole self into our task, not half-heartedly, but whole-heartedly, whether we like the task or not. 

If we are “wary” and shut down those distracting ideas as soon as we are aware of them, we can much more easily keep them from becoming full sideshow distractions and gaining root in our lives.   By becoming less distracted, we can ultimately become more productive, more self-confident and successful people.  Which in turn will allow us more time to pursue sideshows in life that are good! 

So, let me ask you this: what sideshow distractions are in your life, keeping you from being the productive, confident and successful person you were meant to be?  



Many rich and fun blessings to each of you and much less distractions,
Mindy

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Perfect Love



Happy Valentine’s Day


But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; 
but the greatest of these is love.
1 Corinthians 13:13

     Loveaffection: a strong liking; to admire passionately; benevolence; charity; the devoted attachment to one of the opposite sex; passion; the object of affection; the personification of love; to show affection for; to be delighted with;  to be in love; to delight.  to meet another person’s needs without expecting anything back in return.
(the meaning of love - as defined by various people)

May you each feel the glory of affectionate, benevolent, charitable, devoted, and passionate love in your lives, today and always, whether it be romantic, friendship, family, self, or Godly love.

May you each receive the absolute joy of loving someone enough to freely give all of yourself in order to meet their needs, without wanting or expecting anything in return.

And may you all have courage enough to step out today and tell someone you love them, even if it be a stranger!  You never know whose life you might change, enrich or save by those few little words.

An Excerpt from The Greatest Book of Love:

If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn't love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 
If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God’s secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but didn't love others, I would be nothing. 
If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it;[a] but if I didn't love others, I would have gained nothing.
Love is patient and kind. 
Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. 
It does not demand its own way. 
It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. 
It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. 
Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.
Prophecy and speaking in unknown languages[b] and special knowledge will become useless. 
But love will last forever!



1 Corinthians 13:1-8
(New Living Translation)

Happy Love Someone Day!
Will you all be my Valentines?
<3


Sunday, February 10, 2013

Good Grief

Happy Sunday to you all!

How are you all this fine Sunday morning?  Is it cold and snowy where you are?  Or warm and balmy?  



Well, here in Massachusetts we are still digging out from the big blizzard and enjoying a temp of 1 degree this morning!  How very invigorating!! But brrrrrrrr, I am freezing, even wrapped up in my flannel pj's, warm fuzzy socks and thick slippers, and covered with my beautiful "Tree of Life" afghan my Aunt Linda hand-made me.  We are among those fortunate enough to have not lost power during the storm, so I've cranked the thermostat up a few notches.  A couple cups of Keurig Caribou blend coffee liberally dosed with liquid hazelnut creamer and I begin to feel the warmth flowing in.  

This morning (with my yummy fully caffeinated coffee to bolster me) I will boldly lay down a few words in discussion of one of those emotionally charged, so-uncomfortable-to-discuss, but oh-so-needed-to-inform topics, the knowledge of which seems to carry a growing weight and value in our hearts and our Country today.  


Grief.  
And what in the world do we say to someone who is grieving?    

As a mother who has lost a child in a tragic school bus accident when he was just 9 years old, I have wandered around through deep, engulfing grief.  I have experienced the comfort of sincere, heart-felt words of sympathy, as well as insensitive, though well meant words that really hurt.  

These days I hear the voice of the caring friend, family member, or even the internet comment giver, deeply desiring to leave words of comfort, but stumbling awkwardly, not knowing what to say.  In my heart I know grief is a topic that will never grow old, and those of us who have personally waded through it, if able, can share their words of wisdom in guiding others more comfortably through.  Below, I have inserted an article I wrote from my experience on what to say and what not to say to someone grieving.  I hope you find it helpful.

With a full heart,
Mindy

 GOOD GRIEF: WHAT TO SAY AND WHAT NOT TO SAY 
TO SOMEONE WHO IS GRIEVING
  
            Have you ever found yourself struggling to say the right thing to someone who has lost a loved one?  Maybe you were afraid your words might make them feel worse or make them cry?  Rest assured, you are not alone.  Expressing your sympathy to someone who is grieving can be awkward and uncomfortable.  With a few simple guidelines, however, thoughtful words of sympathy can be sincerely expressed.
            To begin, we must first realize that there is nothing we can say or do that will make a bereaved person feel better or hurt less.  Grief is not merely an emotion we feel, nor is it something we simply get over.  Rather, the loss of a loved one is an ever present emptiness we somehow learn to live with.  Consider Sigmund Freud’s insightful words: 

"We find a place for what we lose. Although we know that after such a loss the acute stage of mourning will subside, we also know that we shall remain inconsolable and will never find a substitute. No matter what may fill the gap, even if it be filled completely, it nevertheless remains something else." 

            In my experience, Freud’s words proved true indeed.  In grieving the loss of my little boy to a tragic school bus accident when he was only nine, there were no words or actions which could ease the gaping wound in my heart.  However, in the midst of my deepest mourning, a sincere hug and “I am so sorry for your loss”, or “I am praying for you” were very comforting.  
            Listed below is a helpful guideline focused on words frequently said to the bereaved which I found to be either comforting and helpful, or confusing and hurtful.

Things You Might Say to Someone Who is Grieving
If you are comfortable with the grieving person, then make eye contact, touch them, take his or her hand or give a sincere hug as you say:
  • “My condolences to you”, “I am so sorry for your loss”, “I am so sorry your son died.”
If you don’t know the person well, or are afraid you might break down and make their pain worse, try to be simple, open and sincere when you say,
  • “I don’t know what to say, but please know how sorry I am that your _______ died.”  “Please know I care.”  
  • “I can’t imagine what you are feeling.”  “(Name of deceased) was a wonderful person.  He/She will be deeply missed.”  It is important to validate the loved one’s life, as well as the grief felt in the loss of that loved one’s life.
Beyond What To Say: What to Do
  • Time permitting; relate a fond memory of the loved one, using the loved one’s name. 
  • Listen intently as the grieving person talks.  The grieving heart hungers for words of the loved one and rejoices in telling personal memories. 
  • Be sensitive to his or her faith.  This is not the time for theological arguments.  Do tell them you will be praying for them if you genuinely intend to. Knowing that others were praying for me and my family was great comfort to us.
  • Offer to perform specific tasks for them such as providing groceries or meals, running errands, doing household chores, returning messages, helping make arrangements, etc.   Especially during the first few weeks, simple tasks can be overwhelming to the bereaved.

Things NOT  to Say to Someone Who is Grieving
  • “Don’t cry.”  No matter how uncomfortable or sad their crying makes you feel, it is only through their thousands of tears that healing begins.  It is okay to gently cry along with them.
  • I know how you feel.”  Even if you have suffered a similar loss, it is better simply to say, “I know the pain of loosing a child, husband, wife, etc.”  If asked, then relate your story.  Hearing someone else’s story of loss helped me to not feel so alone in my suffering; but only when I was ready to hear it. 
  • “He’s in a better place now.” or “It was God’s will.” or “She’s better off now.” or “God must have needed another angel.”  These words make the bereaved feel as if there should be no reason to grieve.  I needed my grief – to me, it was all I had left of my son, and I needed to envelope myself in it until I was emotionally able to say goodbye to him.
  • “It’s ok, you can have more children.” or “You’re young, you can learn to love again,” or “It’s good that you were too young to understand.”  These are cruel words that can strip away the importance that the loved one held.   Having another child can never replace the one lost.  And no matter your age, a loss remains a loss, for the rest of your life.
  • “Get over it.” or “Get a grip.” or “It’s time to get on with your life.”  For the bereaved, life has stopped.  Those words will only make them feel guilty, fearful, and angry.

           When contemplating words of sympathy to the bereaved, please understand that there is no right or wrong way to grieve.  There is no set timetable or pattern within the stages of grief, which are: shock and numbness, denial, guilt, pain and deep sorrow, anger, depression, and acceptance.  Each of these stages is normal and essential to healing, and the order and duration of each will vary.  Any stage may be visited many times during the grieving process.   
            In reflection of losing her brother and later her father, my daughter Tiffany stated, Sometimes it wasn't so much about what they said, it was about them being there, supporting me, letting me talk.  Sometimes I just wanted someone to sit with me.”  Her words sum it up perfectly.  If you find yourself at a loss for words, remember - a human touch, soft eye contact, and just being there to listen will always be the right comfort. 



Thursday, February 7, 2013

Feel Good, Bad Things


Hey to all of you out there, wherever you are, whatever you’re doing!  I hope you are having an excellent day! 

I just have to tell you - Wow – have I just been renewed, re-energized, and pumped!!  Let me back up a little and provide you some background info.

Have you ever had one of those times when you do something that you know you shouldn’t do, but temptation just gets the best of you and for a few moments you give in?  And oh my, for that few moments, it feels really good?  And you’re glad you’re doing it.  But…wait a minute…

… what’s that feeling? Uh-oh, guilt!  Yikes! You quickly shut the guilt feeling out and continue the feeling good, bad thing.  Oh yeah. 
…then the guilt jumps up again and takes a bite.
Ouch…that hurt – it took a little of the feel good out of that bad, didn’t it?
But … you quickly shut it out one more time and the feel good flows again. Ah, yes, this is good,
this is ok…
Ouch…guilt bites again!  Oooh this time…I really feel it, the guilt, and not just the guilt but also the knowing in my soul that this feel good thing I’m doing, well it really is BAD for me.  I shouldn’t be doing this.  Yes, I know I shouldn’t, but oh I really like it…I like how it makes me feel.
But, wow, I know I shouldn’t be doing it.

And then…you summon the strength to stop.  To walk away.  Whoa…thank goodness, I got out of that one!

But then, later, maybe the next day, you begin feeling bad about it, about doing that feel good, bad thing.  About allowing yourself to be tempted – maybe yet again.  How many times?  And then you begin trying to justify it or excuse it, or even try to make it not such a bad thing, in your mind.  And then you’re okay for a while. 

And then it hits you again – the feeling guilty.  Or convicted in your heart that what you did was actually not a good thing, and you feel sorry for doing it.  And then the guilt begins to tear you down a little.  Makes you begin to doubt yourself.  It eats at you.  And you feel worse. 

Ok – we all know where that is heading, right?

So, yesterday, this is where I was.  I allowed myself to be tempted.  I quit fighting the temptation and jumped in.  Oh yes, maybe I dove in head first with all eagerness to overflow myself completely with it.  Who knows what I was thinking.  But, oh it was such a feel good, bad thing!!  It soothed a spot in me that has been left neglected for too long.   Can you relate? 

Tell me, why do these so-bad-for-you things have to feel oh-so-good sometimes?

Well…it did feel really good, but only for a very short time.  Then the guilt, the conviction set in, in all those stages mentioned above.  And today, I felt really bad about it.  I hated feeling this way, especially since I always want to have a good connection with God, and don’t want anything to stand between my prayers and Him.  And, I don’t need any help feeling down about myself sometimes cause I just have too many imperfections to deal with since God didn’t make me perfect  :-> 

But my guilt – which today I immediately transposed to holy conviction (yes there is a difference between guilt and conviction) – was standing in the way.  Because I knew I shouldn’t have done that feel good, bad thing, but I did it anyway.  I rebelled.  I threw caution to the wind.  I turned my head the other way. 

Well… I’m here to say “no problem!”  That’s right – no problem! 

Huh?

Being a Christian girl, I knew that what I needed to do was to talk to God.  Tell Him what I had done (yes, I know He already knows what I did, but I needed to verbalize it to make it real) and that I really was sorry.  That I wanted to feel close to Him again but my feel good, bad thing was standing in the way.  That I don’t know why I keep falling into that same thing, but once again, God, please forgive me.  I don’t want the ugly stain of that guilt - that feel good, bad thing in my brain any longer.  Please God take it from me.  Forgive me please, God, once again, so I can move on and not feel ugly any more.  So I can feel You with me again.  Yes, I know, God, that You never leave me – rather it is I who move away from you when I choose to.  Well, I’m back.  I’m holding my hand back up for You to grasp once again to lead me.  Yes, I know You did not let go – it was I who let go of You.  But I’m back!  Once again.  Holding on.  Yay!!! 

Your forgiveness washes over me and I am free – again!

And once again, I am in that feel good, GOOD place! Oh hallelujah – thank you, God, that You so willingly and unendingly provide this GOOD thing for me!  Without it – I am a mess! 

In looking at Scripture today, there is a verse that sums up this prayer perfectly.  It is Psalm 51:10 and says:
Create in me a clean heart, O God,
and renew a right, persevering, and steadfast spirit within me. 
(Amplified Bible)

Yes, I needed my heart cleansed of the guilt and my spirit renewed with forgiveness and perseverance to not fall into that temptation again. 

And I got it.  Fully and Beautifully!

So, my hope and prayer for you today is this: if anything is bothering you, if you are wandering around, wallowing, or floundering about in the guilt of a feel good, bad thing – one or many things – then I invite you to turn that guilt into holy conviction – no condemnation, just the knowing it was wrong – and lift your heart to your Heavenly Father, who loves you to distraction, and whisper the Scriptured prayer, Psalm 51:10 – Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right, persevering, and steadfast spirit within me.  
And let go of the guilt.
Be renewed. 
Be free. 
And be beautiful!

Have a beautiful and lovely day, evening or night. God bless you all,
Mindy

Sunday, February 3, 2013

Seize the Moment - Every Moment!


Good Sunday Morning to you!!

Or good day, evening, or night to you, and may you have a warm and pleasant – or excitingly vibrant - day, evening or night, wherever you may be!

This morning I find myself very thankful for my family, my friends, and all those who fill my life with love, friendship, smiles, laughter, and yes, even anxiety, confrontation and conflict. 

What would I do without the love I am lavishly and freely given from my family?  How bored and lonely would I be without the invaluable encouragement and acceptance from my wonderful friends?  How simple minded and dull would I and my brain be without the anxiety, confrontation and conflict I am rewarded with from my daughter (sorry Tiffany) husband (sorry again Honey) and family and friends who sometimes heatedly sport different religious, social, and political views? 

Yes, for me, it takes each of these crazy emotions and people to make my life interesting, rewarding, and livable.  A huge, from-the-bottom-of-my-heart, hug-wrapped thank you to each of you for so beautifully enriching my life! I am grateful and thankful for each of you!

Now, to what brought me to these thoughts this morning.  I was reading an update on Facebook from one of my all-time favorite authors, Karen Kingsbury,

regarding a family not far from her; Brandon and Megan Bouge, their 3-yr old daughter, Wyncie, and 2-wk old son, Emmett.  On Monday, Jan. 28th, Megan, her mother, and her 2 children were involved in a collision with an unlicensed driver who crossed many lanes of traffic and hit them head on.  Megan’s mother died in the crash and Megan and children were sent to the hospital with critical injuries, with little Wyncie on life support. 

Megan remains in critical condition, little Emmett was treated for a broken leg and released.  However, little Wyncie went home to Heaven yesterday at 5:45 pm. 

This precious family desperately needs our prayers, for hope, for healing, for comfort amidst unimaginable grief and a surrounding and enveloping of love and support.  As Karen Kingsbury said, they have a long road of recovery and loss ahead – even as they cling to their faith and Jesus in a beautiful way. 
Will you please join me and Karen and others in prayer for this precious, young family?

Our country has, and continues to suffer devastating and unthinkable tragedies, provoking many emotions and reactions from all of us.  Yet one fact I can’t help seeing - life is fragileWe cannot take anything or anyone in our lives for granted anymore. 

We must take and run with every moment given, with every loved one in our lives,
as well as those we meet by chance.

I would invite and encourage each of you to think about the relationships in your lives; family, friends, loved ones, or casual acquaintances. How do they enrich your life?  What would you miss if they were no longer in your life?  Are your quarrels with them really that important?  How long has it been since you told them that you loved them?  Have you ever told them?  My friends – don’t wait any longer. 

Seize the moment – for you don’t know when you might have another.

One of my greatest regrets in life is that I did not take the opportunity to tell my son one last time that Mommy loves him, on the morning of the day that he was tragically taken from me in a terrible school bus accident when he was just 9 years old.  It was a normal day, like any other day.  The last thing I ever expected was that a semi-truck would hit my son’s school bus, or that I would never get to hug or hold my baby boy again.  

Many of you have similar stories and share a similar engulfing grief.
This I know.
And I grieve with you as I lift you up and pray for you.

This I also know – The loss of a loved one, especially a child, is a lifetime loss, one that no one “gets over.”  It is an empty feeling, an empty spot that is always there – no, it never goes away.  Rather it is a feeling that, over time, you simply get used to feeling.  However, over time, the feeling does lessen; you can learn to live with it. 

There is a Scripture – Psalm 30:5, which says – weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.  And very true it is.  We weep for a time – a dark, mournful time where we pour out all our anguish and desperation.  And after we are spent and empty, the dark begins to turn to grey, the grey to pale light, then amazingly the pale light to the sunshine of morning and a new day.  And we find a tiny spark of wanting to go on, beginning in our hearts, and the desire to see and feel the sunshine once again.  The timing of this darkness is different for all of us; for some - weeks, some - months, some - years.  And some of us need more help wading through the layers than others.  But one thing is certain;

We all need to know that our sorrow matters;
We all need to know that someone else out there cares that we are hurting.

So my thought and prayer for today is that each of you will contemplate the relationships in your life and have the courage to reach out and take advantage of every single moment given to you, to grow and enrich those relationships, and to enrich the lives of those around you, by your sincere caring of and for them.  And to give generously, from your hearts to those who are hurting around you. 

Won’t you reach out and make a difference today?

With much love, prayers and gratitude for each of you,
Mindy

Friday, February 1, 2013

Beloved!


Hey, how's it going today?

Wow, I can’t believe it is February 1st already!  Where did January go – or 2012, for that matter??

I love February though – it is the month of Love.  I love Love!  I love the feeling of Love, the colors of Love, the atmosphere of Love.  Everything about Love.  Oh yes, I LOVE Love!

But…oh yes, for a moment there will be a small “but.” For all those times when we feel love let us down, or the love of our lives let us down, or when that love just up and left us completely – ugghh!  Yep, I’ve had my share of that.  And, no, I didn’t particularly love love during those times. As a matter of fact, I was pretty devastated with fleeting love, pretty heartbroken with cheating love, and almost drowned in sorrow with love halted forever I even vowed to not ever get involved with love again, of any kind!  Ummm…vowed that many times actually. And then gave in.  Again. And again.)

Whewww – thank goodness that was one vow I just couldn’t keep –
until I found the Real Thing!

So, yes, losing out on love, or maybe never even truly experiencing Love, seems to be a part of life which most of us just simply have to experience and deal with.  Seems like during the month of February, the loss of romantic love, or the unrequited love tugs on our hearts even a little stronger.  Especially around the 14th?  I know. 

Valentine’s Day for me, for many years was not a lovely, pink and red and
chocolaty, frilly lovely kind of day.

No, being a single mom for 9 years didn't allow for much dating or moments of Love (except from my 2 beautiful babies!). And though I have been happily married for many years now, sometimes it still isn’t. 

With a brainiac technically-minded engineer husband,
little romantic gestures and gifts can be a little few and far between.

Fellow engineer wives will know exactly what I mean.

So…I don’t know about you, but I get tired of feeling let down, left out, or plain ignored when it comes to love and loving things.  I get tired of depending on someone else to alleviate those feelings, don’t you? 

I mean, really, does it take having a romantic partner to validate my individual lovability?  Seriously?

NO!

I am totally and completely, all over, 100% lovable!  (well – maybe not quite 100%, but close)  And realistically – I don’t actually need a box of chocolates (as yummy as they may be), a bouquet of flowers (as beautiful and wonderfully scented as they may be), nor a line of fluffy, flattering words (as much as I love to hear them) to confirm my beauty or lovability. I don't really even need a sexy, frilly little something to wear to make me feel beautiful or wanted, though the reminder is great!
And neither do you!!!

As much as I love to receive these awesome and wonderful, self-worth boosting, put-a-smile-on-my-face gifts, they are in fact just a nice reminder of what I already know.  And having a romantic partner – for me, a husband – is a happy journey I am very thankful for, but it is truly an additional fine reminder of what I already know;

I am fearfully and wonderfully made,
With Lovingkindness
By my Creator, who knew me and Loved me,
Even before He placed me in my mother’s womb.
And He Loves me with an
Everlasting Love,
Which means forever
No matter what.
No matter who I am or what I have done.
I am my Beloved’s and He is mine.
For He Loves me - for all time.

(Psalm 139:14 & 16, Jeremiah 1:5, Jeremiah 31:3,)

So, in this month of love, remember, you are not alone, you are Loved and very Beloved, and you always will be, from and by the greatest Love of all time – the One who FIRST Loved you and will always Love you, from the One who formed, designed and created you, Who purposefully placed you in your mother’s womb and knows you better than anyone else.  God.  This is the Love you have been longing for and is the foundation and fountain of all other loves in your life.

So, in this month of love, why not take a leap of love and consider beginning or deepening your relationship with your first Love, your Beloved, God, who Loves you and desires a meaningful, one-on-one relationship with you.  He is your all-time Love interest and partner, not just in romance, but in life.   All you have to do is talk to Him.  Reach out now, He is there, waiting for you.  Tell Him you would like His Love now.  And once you have accepted His Love, and placed Him in your heart, He will never leave you and He will always Love you.  No matter what.  And He will help you with all the other loves in your life.  That simple; all you have to do is ask Him, and then let Him.

With great Love,
Mindy