Fully Loving When We Don't Relate

Love isn't always a natural reaction. Sometimes it doesn't come easily with certain people. 

And let's face it- sometimes, we just don't "click". 

We're all different. Beautiful. But different. 

It can be difficult- whether in work, school, church, or community groups. It can be exhausting- trying to find similarities that just aren't there. 

I've been there. I've done that. And I've failed miserably at loving people that I didn't connect with [gosh, I even fail regularly at loving those I do connect with!]. And I may never get a chance to restore those relationships this side of heaven. 

But I can rest in the truth & grace of Christ- that we weren't created to "click". We weren't created to be similar with each person we encounter. We weren't created to be everyone's best friend. 

But we were created to click with the gospel. 

Because of that, we can fully love people that are different from us. We can invite them into our lives & pour life into each other. 

We don't have to enjoy the same things to enjoy time together. 
We don't have to be similar to care [action verb!].
We don't have to click to have compassion. 

We can reach out in times of happiness, difficulty, or have conversations about things that we haven't experienced, because what we have to offer is much greater than experiencing the same situations or emotions- what we have to offer is the gospel. 

And those truths & promises will bind us together [alike, or different], and provide a solid relational foundation...more than any similarities ever will. 

Because we were created to love, even when we don't relate. 

Fully Loving When It's Not A Fairy Tale

Love is many things, but it's not a fairy tale. 

It's an adventure, but not a perfect one. 

And believing it is, hoping for it, expecting it, is ignoring true love- the gospel. 

That love story is messy, hard to imagine, heart-wrenching, & absolutely the most beautiful form of love there will ever be. 

It was pure & genuine sacrifice. 

It was love. 

It was perfect.

I struggle with forgetting this daily. I struggle with placing perfect expectations on Kyle. I compare other relationships to ours. I set him up for failure before I give him a chance to express his love for me. And ultimately, I expect a fairy tale.

I'm calling it what it is- it's bondage. Christ is purging me of these lies. He's breaking me free of these chains. And I'm so thankful for my "fully loving journey", this process of freedom- a process that I can have hope in by clinging to the freedom that was so freely given on the cross. The love that conquered death. 

And fully loving Him, embracing His love, that helps me fully love when it's not a fairy tale. 

And what a difference it's making in our relationship. I've never loved him more. 

Sweet sisters, 

Don't search for perfect.  

Don't set up your partner or future spouse for failure. 

Don't expect the world's version of love.

Don't expect a fairy tale. 

Expect the gospel. 

Expect Him. 

So, during this week full of Valentine's Day stuff, celebrate this love- true love:

Colossians 3:14-17

The Message (MSG)

12-14 So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It’s your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it.

15-17 Let the peace of Christ keep you in tune with each other, in step with each other. None of this going off and doing your own thing. And cultivate thankfulness. Let the Word of Christ—the Message—have the run of the house. Give it plenty of room in your lives. Instruct and direct one another using good common sense. And sing, sing your hearts out to God! Let every detail in your lives—words, actions, whatever—be done in the name of the Master, Jesus, thanking God the Father every step of the way. 

I'm praying for you- pre-teens, teens, collegiates & young adults, & marrieds. I'm praying for your relationships- for you to bind them with His love. 

The Lonely Wall Project

                                                                                    

Before                                                             After

I'm learning that little projects can easily turn into big projects, and I have to be patient to finish them- like this wall! 

Next on the list is an entrance table, lamp, green plant, & a few trinkets to make it complete!
  
One. thing. at. a. time. 

Our budget & my simple-seeking soul will thank me...later. ;)

Going clockwise:

Clock: Better Homes & Garden- Walmart 
Wood Framed Doily: Frame-$2.00 thrift store find. Doily-handmade housewarming gift! 
'F': Hobby Lobby (one year used!)
Black Floating Frame: Walmart (painting- self-doodles: fear not)
White Framed Map of our area of Chattanooga: Walmart (map: from a friend!) 
Tiny White Frame- Walmart (painting- self-doodles: fully love)
Green Framed Painting Of Our Home: Hand-painted housewarming gift!