My Heart Hurts ~

Have you ever loved so completely that nothing matters but the welfare of the other person?

Have you ever loved with so much strength that if the person you love hurts, you feel the pain a thousand times stronger?

Have you ever loved so deeply that you would do whatever you needed to keep the other person from suffering one second more than they had to?

Have you ever loved so much that your eyes welled up and overflowed unceasingly because you ached for the other person?

Have you ever felt humbled to the point that you would apologize a thousand times over because you caused an ache in a loved ones heart?

Have you loved someone so much that you could think of nothing else but boasting about them, their accomplishments, the person that they are versus who you are, what you've done, or accomplished?

Have you loved someone to the point that you could never imagine yourself saying or doing anything to dishonor them?

Have you ever felt that you could give every last dime, every ounce of energy, and everything you are for the sake of a loved one's happiness?

Have you ever loved someone so much that they could say "I hate you" and you could respond, "I must have done something right because you feel safe enough to tell me that?"

Have you loved so much that you tuck any wrong doing away so that you can love them that much more?

Have you rejoiced when truth prevails because you know it will protect the person you love?

Have you trusted someone you love to the point where you are willing to have your heart fractured or broken?

Have you hoped,  in spite of any negative that crops into the recesses of your mind, for the very best outcome for someone you loved?

Have you loved willingly with eagerness even when every last ounce of energy is drained?

I think moms can do that; at least those who trust in the Lord because He did it for them first.

What memories are made of ~

Special moments with my girls today.  Funny that the most precious moments can occur when you're doing nothing at all and sometimes when things don't seem quit so perfect.  The times that force you to look at everything precious that you have, are sometimes the most memorable.

We had all these plans starting out early in the morning and ended up home all day; but that was ok. My daughter, Maile came over today and put Jaimie through a photo shoot especially designed for her husband.  Cute as ever.  I sat with my other daughter and scratched legs, arms, head, and just kept her company.  At one point we all huddled together on the couch.  No one really wanted to do anything but cuddle, keep warm, and feel each others company in the silence.

I think that our family did what needed to be done; we comforted one another emotionally today.  I remembered the story of King David in the bible, who although he was known as "a man after God's heart," was not a good father.  When his daughter was raped by his son, he did nothing. David pulled back, became passive, buried his feelings, avoided facing the issue in a number of ways.  "Yet change does not occur without action, without doing what needs to be done to bring about change." Charles Swindoll ~  That's what our family did, we took action just knowing that comfort was the medicine for today...and that's all we had to know and all we had to do.

Tomorrow I look forward to the gym and church.   Somehow, I think something special will happen :)

Random Perceptions

Special Moments with Children, even adult children, never end ~

As I read through everyone's posting about their babies, I see pics of little ones doing cute things or with someone, I remember when mine were that small.  Although I cherish those moments, I cherish the moments I have with them today.  I still marvel at the things they say and do.  I still laugh and well up with wonderful feelings when I see them, hear them, and listen to them. 

Yesterday when I came home, Mandy was dressed so cute and she was dancing Salsa.  She got Jaimie to join her and they danced and laughed and I was just so happy to be with them.  In some ways it's a little more difficult because when they were small I had more control to protect them.  As adults, my internal reactions are still the same, to protect them.  Yet I know I can't be a "helicopter mom," hovering over my adult children.  With my oldest, Maile, and my next one, Jaimie, I feel a peace that comes from the fact that they are being protected by good men.  What mattered most to Jaimie, and for that fact for Amanda, was the spiritual man she saw in her husband.  That is their first attraction and with that comes a sense of comfort for me. Nonetheless, the worry of what the "world" can bring into their lives sometimes looms over me and I have to pray or do this, write, or go back to the precious memories I have, like yesterdays.

Tolerance ~

Sean Covey in his book “Seven Habits of Highly Effective Teens” called the highest level of diversity appreciation, not a “Tolerator’s Profile” but a “Celebrator’s Profile.”  He says that these people realize that celebrating differences doesn’t mean that you necessarily agree with those differences, only that you value...  Yet those who preach tolerance seem to get flaming mad if you have a contrary belief system, you support what they don’t support, or you exercise your freedom to vote the way you want to.  My question is, how can they advocate tolerance when they want to force you to conform to their beliefs, vote as they vote, support what they support… or… you will be called intolerant and many expletive words will be hurled at you and about you?

Paraphrasing one of my favorite books

Joshua Harris - I Kissed Dating Goodbye

If we truly trust in Christ we die to our old way of living.  We no longer live for ourselves but for God and the good of others.  Relationships can no longer be about "having a good time" or "learning what I want in a relationship." Relationships are not about getting but giving; they are an opportunity to love another person like God has loved us. 

Relationships are about laying down our desires to do what's right for the other persons best interest; to care for them even when there's nothing in it for us; to protect their purity and holiness because it pleases God and we want to protect them.

Feelings come and go, our own gratification and the "fun"  we have, how we "feel" can be deceptive.  We can end up in short term relationships that leave us discouraged, confused, and desperate for an alternative.  Although we can and should grow in knowledge, romance/intimacy must be linked to commitment (1 Corth 13) / commitment based love; a gift from God :=D.

When you open a treasure chest and you see it filled with coal and one huge pure sparkling diamond, you may have a once in a lifetime opportunity.  Protect it.