Only if Life was like a Hallmark Movie

I am STILL a Hallmark movie fan. Weekends, especially, you’ll often find me indulging in yet another Hallmark movie. Why, you may ask? So many reasons! They’re peaceful and calming. People are pleasant and kind. Their lives are focused on family, friends and doing good things. They’re wholesome and non-violent. The storylines revolve around love and happiness. But mostly -- because they always have happy endings. Who doesn’t like happy endings, especially when it comes to love?

We all do. But, the reality is happy endings aren't always guaranteed. Because of real life. Real relationships. Real people. Real problems. Relationships fail, friendships struggle or end, divorces happen, loved ones pass away, and true love often seems hard to find. When real life happens, we often feel disappointed and alone, especially during this month that is hyper-focused on love and romance.

Speaking from a gal who has been without the “romance” side for several years now, I know that earthly relationships should never be what determines our happiness. If our happiness hinge on earthly love or perfect relationships, we’ll always feel disappointed and, quite possibly, unhappy and lacking joy.

But, really I do know romance without a romantic lover. I experience that romance daily -- along with peace, joy, and even happiness through my relationship with Jesus Christ. He is the one constant that always assures my REAL life will have a forever after, happy ending. He shares about His unconditional and endless love for His children in John 15:9: “I have loved you just as My Father has loved Me. Stay in My love.” Jesus calls us to realize how much we are loved, just as the Father loves His Son. Oh, let’s breathe that in and embrace the intensity AND the immensity of that love.

In John 15:11, Jesus explains why it’s so important to recognize, and abide in His love: “I have told you these things so My joy may be in you and your joy may be full.” You see, it’s His love alone that can bring true joy to our hearts. God’s joy is the real love we all long for, but sometimes we look for and expect to find it in all the wrong places.

It would be oh, so nice if life were like a Hallmark movie and every relationship ended happily ever after. But I’ve learned it’s possible, each day, to be joy-filled and to feel happy no matter what’s happening in my life -- regardless of my relationships status. I know the true joy from God that is the “hallmark” of being a fully devoted follower of Christ. You can know this joy, too, if you’ll give your heart and life to THE ONE Who hears the desires of our hearts and Who fillls us with joy and happiness every day. His love is enough!

Love Shows Up in Whole Foods

Loving and Singing Through the Years
It seems I'm still caught up in this “Love Month”. I was at Whole Foods and over the sound system I heard Kenny Rogers singing "our" song, “Through the Years”. I was somewhat jolted and teared up a little! Of all places to be reminded of my sweetheart was Whole Foods. We had special songs that were “ours” in our earlier years, but when true love didn’t quit through all of life’s ups and downs, this song spoke volumes about two determined people willing to stick it out and realize how sweet the love grows when we don't give up. This song describes us perfectly! I can imagine, for those of you who have been together through thick and thin for many years, can relate to it, too.

I can't remember when you weren't there,
When I didn't care for anyone but you.
I swear we've been through everything there is,
Can't imagine anything we've missed.
Can't imagine anything the two of us can't do.

Through the years. You've never let me down.
You turned my life around.
The sweetest days I've found, I've found with you.
Through the years. I've never been afraid.
I've loved the life we've made.
And I'm so glad I've stayed, right here with you.
Through the years.

I can't remember what I used to do, who I trusted,
Whom I listened to before.
I swear you've taught me everything I know,
Can't imagine needing someone so.
But through the years it seems to me,
I need you more and more.

Through the years, through all the good and bad,
I knew how much we had.
I've always been so glad, to be with you.
Through the years. It's better every day.
You've kissed my tears away. As long as it's okay,
I'll stay with you. Through the years.

Through the years, when everything went wrong,
Together we were strong.
I know that I belonged, right here with you.
Through the years, I never had a doubt,
We'd always work things out
I've learned what love's about, by loving you, through the years.

To love and be loved is life's sweetest treasure. But even more than the earthly love we enjoy, the most beloved relationship we could ever hope to have is our relationship with God. What a beautiful romance I have had with Him…..through the years.

This romance, beyond my Sweetheart’s “great escape to heaven” is the life of beauty, intimacy, and adventure I have with God. In Jeremiah 31:3, He says “I have loved you with an everlasting love”. Talk about a romantic lover. He’s given us the whole world for romance -- the rivers and the meadows, the mountains and the beaches. Flowers, music, a kiss, a sunrise, a sunset, a touch.

There's no "earthly" love like His love. Shhh! I hear Him singing a love song to me.....Zephaniah 3:17 "The LORD your God among you is powerful -- He will save and He will take joyful delight in you. In His love He will renew you with His love; He will celebrate with singing because of you".