Everyone Wants to be Loved #loveproject365

10/365 #loveproject365


Yes, it is true! No matter what we say, we all want to be loved and be pursued. Sometimes I wonder what God was thinking when he created man and woman, both so different and with such different needs. After watching the Bachelor last night, yes I went there, I realized how desperate girls are for love. We want to be THE one he chooses. We want to have what the others don't. I know it is a "reality" tv show but if it weren't so real, why would there still be an audience? And why would men and women still apply? They have watched the train wreck for years. Yes, of course, there are the exotic dates and trips to faraway lands that could entice any single male or female, but seriously, these girls really believe they will find love and are willing to pursue it at this cost. Some get it, some don't.

Unfortunately, for most of us, love isn't a trip to Paris to skydive from the Eiffel Tower or finding ourselves having a picnic on some deserted island for the weekend. Of course, we could all fall in love on a helicopter landing on a yacht in the middle of an ocean only to find ourselves in a hot tub that same day on that same yacht and then land ourselves dinner in the middle of Newport Beach with no one around. I wonder how many of us could arrange that for a romantic day out. When life is forgotten and you don't have to take the kids to school or get up in the morning to go to a job to pay the mortgage, it is easy to fall in love. BUT that isn't our reality, and nor is it theirs when it is all over. Love has to withstand life and all that it has to offer without the glamour and glitz and in order to do that, we have to pursue the one we love continually. The bachelor girls maybe go a little too far in their pursuit of love, but what we can learn from them, is the longing to make someone feel like they matter. You don't have to take off your clothes or make out on the first date, but be gentle, kind and most importantly, pursue love like God pursues you-unconditionally and mercifully.

"Love never fails." 

1 Corinthians 13:8

"It does not boast, it is not proud." #loveproject365

8/365 #loveproject365

In most cases, I am pretty content with where I am and what I have. God has been given more opportunities in life than most and has truly blessed me with a loving church, a loving family, a great job and a good home. And as much as I know God has had a part in all of it, I have had to work hard a long the way. The hardest part of this verse for me is in loving others who haven't done the same to pave their way. Loving those who complain or make excuses is hard for me, but today I realize that it is not what others do that matters as much as what I do. 

Let's take a look at the homeless guy on the corner. 

I think it is pretty safe to say that we all see one or two with a cardboard sign sitting at the freeway exit, and most of the time we don't even look their way.  And that may be ok for you. But for those who won't give to the homeless because we have made the assumption that they will buy beer or drugs may be missing the point of loving others. Of course, we have to be conscientious of our time and money, but every man and woman on the corner has a story to tell. I don't know all the stories, but I do know God's story and he has created each of us to know Him and to live in harmony with one another.

A few months ago, I decided that what I do is not dependent on what others do. If I love unconditionally, I may just share Jesus in a way someone has missed. If I worry less about how someone will respond, I will love more freely and God will be made known. Of course, the homeless guy or girl may buy beer or drugs, but it is not up to me to make that judgment. If we love unconditionally, we will give freely and if we believe God is good, we will be blessed, regardless of how someone else responds. 

There's a man who sits outside our 7-11 in the evening when we make our coffee run. He is usually half asleep, or slumped over sadly as we walk in. He never asks for anything, but occasionally, we bring him in to get a cup of coffee for himself. This small act of faith isn't changing his life dramatically, but in those moments, he is warm and cared for. On a cold night, this may be all he needs to get through. We all have a desire to be cared for, no matter what our circumstances. 

It may not be a homeless guy in your life, but maybe a family member or friend who needs some unconditional love today. Loving others sometimes requires us to look past ourselves and focus on others, regardless of their story. 

"Love is patient, love is kind, it does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud."

1 Corinthians 13:4

Working Together #loveproject365

5/365 #loveproject365

Today is our last day in Vegas at CES and what a great time it was! This will definitely not be a love post of Vegas but our time there was awesome. We aren't big gamblers, we don't drink and we didn't see any shows but working side by side and exploring new technology was fun. Maybe a little too nerdy for some, but Rob and I have different perspectives and different reasons for exploring technology in our lives. The cool part of the trip was that we worked as a team to review and experience the show. Rob meeting and networking while I was wowed by all the new ideas I could gather for my teaching. An overwhelming day for me at times, but the joy came in the end when I realized how fun it is to work as a team with my one and only.

"From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work."

Ephesians 4:16