Our Inspired Journey

I wanted to post about our trip to Disneyland last weekend, but those pictures will have to wait.  There's a more pressing post to write for the Friday before the most celebrated "LOVE" day of the year.  On Fridays, I like to post something about doing life as a Family.  Ideally, I would've done some cute Valentine's craft I found on Pinterest with the kids today, and given you a tutorial on how it went over in our house.  I like those days too, but today wasn't one of those days, and I like to keep it real.  After our craft store ran out of the supplies I needed to make the 40 "Pinterest" Valentine's the boys needed for their classes, I happily packed my youngest three back in the car, and drove straight to Target where they picked out the easiest tear apart cards we could find, and called it a day.  It actually was quite lovely.  The other idea will have to wait for another day...and I don't think anyone minded.  Especially me.

On our way home, we were listening to our AWANA songs in the car and one came on and said, "Take a look at me and then you'll see what God has done, He's changed me from the inside out because of His great LOVE..."

I was overwhelmed for a moment.  In the middle of driving my kids home to fill out their Star Wars and Princess Valentines, I was reminded of how great and TRUE His love is for me.
He didn't just send a message of LOVE...
He BECAME the message.

Valentine's Day is such a fun day to be crafty and cute.  But I fear the "True LOVE" we all seek in our efforts, can get lost in translation if we're not careful.  I'm NOT saying it isn't fun to be creative.  I really do enjoy those moments with my kids, and they do too.  I just know the Lord has purpose for us in days like this one too.  Eternal sort of purpose...the kind that starts within and keeps on stirring until I can't help but pause to take it in...

On the day in History where the greatest act of True LOVE was displayed, Jesus died.  He gave everything.  It wasn't cute.  It wasn't neat, and it wasn't pretty.

I need to remember that, this Valentine's Day.

Of all the verses on love found in the Bible, this is the one that rises to the top and resonates with my spirit these days.  The ultimate lover in the most humble of acts, gives His life, because He knows in doing so...it means LIFE for those he deeply and honestly, loves.

My eyes close and my heart opens for a moment.
Making every attempt to grasp what that meant...for Him.
And now...centuries later...what it means for me.
I pause for a moment as those two thoughts join and my heart trembles in the reality of it all...
All he did...How He loved...It means there can be an US.

And it suddenly, everything changes.
It always does when I'm seeing clearly through His eyes instead of mine.
If I am His bride, and my life's aim is to mirror HIS...
then, humility is paramount.
"And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers..."


In every relationship I'm in...how can I lay down my life...
Let go of selfish ambition or vain conceit and consider another better than myself.

As a neighbor...practice hospitality in my home with those that live closest to me, even those I may not know much about.
A mother...put down my to-do list, phone or computer and embrace precious moments that are here today and gone tomorrow.
A wife...put his needs before mine, always have meat for dinner, and remember that He is my greatest relationship next to the one I have with my creator.
follower of Jesus...make undivided time with Him a priority over everything else.

I want to be constantly tuned into the whisper that began before the beginning of time...Your life is not your own...lay it down, so I can step into the shell of your being and raise up something lovely and beautiful.   I made you for nothing less.  I want to breathe life into every step you take, making it one that leaves an eternal mark because of my great love for YOU.


So Lord, reorient me this Valentine's Day to love others deeply, the way you first loved me.  It may not be cute, pretty or be wrapped in a bow...but if you're calling me to it, I trust that you have eternal plans for my actions...help me to lay down my life.  Again, again, and again...just. like. YOU.