Living and Loving “Real” Well (the short version)

I was asked a few days ago how I wanted to be remembered when I’m gone. I answered, “Someone who lives and loves authentically, who shares her life with others.”

If I don’t do this I cannot leave this legacy.

It’s not even about what people remember about me, if I’m honest, it’s what I know I’ll leave behind. The truth that doesn’t change.
Thus, my actions need to be that.
That may mean I’m going to be honest about things that people will judge me for and decide they don’t like me, but at the end of the day, who’s love do I most strive for?

I hope and I pray that the answer will always be Christ. He has promised to be my portion foremost and all the rest, all the fluffy little extras and relationships that make my life extra blessed will follow.

If they don’t love me in my mess, and except me when I’m broken, and forgive me when I make mistakes, then how is their companionship building in my life?

That’s all. Just my thoughts for the day; something I’m learning.

On Friday, a condemned thief. On Sunday, a King who conquers all and comes to our rescue.

What an extraordinary lover we have. ♥

The purpose of pain.

All I’ve felt the past few days, and for several days in the past few weeks, is pain.

What’s the purpose of pain anyway if it just sucks?!

It tells us something’s wrong. It tells our hand to get away from the hot stove, it tells us not to cut ourselves, and the pain in our stomach tells us we’re hungry and in need of nourishment. It tells us when someone has hurt us that it shouldn’t be this way. When someone we love is far away we MISS THEM and our heart hurts and it’s because we’re supposed to be WITH them. When were lonely, the pain is telling us we were made to have connection. When we feel violated or injured we are being told that we should be being LOVED.

I’m not a fan of pain, but it happens, and it has a time, a place, and a purpose.
I just hope I get what I can learn from it and I don’t forget to listen.

‎”we’d never know what’s wrong without the pain…”