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!

And They Lived Happily Ever After

My favorite fairy tale is still “Cinderella”. The prince falls in loves with Cinderella. He searches the kingdom for her and slides the glass slipper on her foot like an engagement ring. Next comes the story ending: “And they lived happily ever after.”

NOT! Sweet imagination, but NOT reality. It's not how real life stories go. All you have to do is fast-forward to a year later and Prince Charming is no longer charming. In fact, he’s become somewhat boring, leaves his underwear on the floor, the stool lid up, doesn’t put a new toilet paper roll on OR puts it on backward, watches way too many sports shows, belches out loud and, to make matters worse….he snores like a buzz-saw! And, on top of that, he gets upset that Cinderella is overspending on more shoes, she gets so emotional at the drop of a pin and spends way too much time on the phone with her mother and friends. How’s that for a reality check to our fantasy dreams?

Marriages come with a lot of grandiose expectations. I’ll never forget receiving the phone call from my emotional and in-tears daughter just days after her marriage when her husband's underwear was all pink after washing them with a red sheet. A little consoling and directions for returning them to their original color resolved that reality check, but the up and down moments still ensued – as with all marriages. Of course, we all want the fairy tale—the happily ever after. And, with the right emphasis and getting our love priorities in the right order, it can happen.

From firsthand experience I can tell you, true love may falter, but it still survives. When we break, and we do, we pick up the pieces and fit them together again. No, the pieces may not fit together now exactly the same way as they did in the wedding pictures, but we fit together in a new way, a way that that holds us together even more strongly than ever. Trust me on that!

Sometimes we put too much emphasis on what’s wrong instead of what's RIGHT! Best. News. Ever. We DO have the perfect spouse. His name is Jesus, and one day we’ll be in heaven with Him for our happily-ever-after story. No human relationship can completely fulfill our need for love. When those we love fall short, it’s a signal to our souls to turn to Jesus.

Over and over, scripture describes God’s people as a bride with words like these: “As a bridegroom rejoices over His bride, so will your God rejoice over you” (Isaiah 62:5). This is what’s truer than a fairy tale for us during this month of love and tomorrow, Valentine’s Day: We’re loved beyond what we can even imagine. Whether we are single or married, whatever may have happened in our romantic relationships, even if we feel alone sometimes… we are the beloved bride of the perfect Husband. And there’s still a "happily ever after" in our future. It’s true for those of us who have made Him Lord of all…we will live happily ever after. Not, THE END, but THE BEGINNING of forever.

My Name is Written in the Palm of His Hand

The other day I saw a friend write a phone number of someone on the palm of her hand. I've seen others write their grocery list on their hand. And, I remember when I was a kid in school, seeing some “cheaters” write the answers to test questions on the palms of their hands.

I’ve been a fan of Max Lucado's writings for years because he writes with a style that awakens my thought processes. Every time I read one of his books or writings, I have an “aha” moment. So now that I’ve built my case for Max Lucado and his God-given anointing to pen God’s heart for us to know Him better, I want to “gift” you with the following inspiring words from his book, “When God Whispers Your Name” to tell you how much God loves you:

"When I see a flock of sheep I see exactly that, a flock. A rabble of wool. I don’t see a sheep. I see sheep. All alike. None different. But not so with the Shepherd. To Him every sheep is different. Every face has a story. John 10:3 says, “The sheep listen to the voice of the shepherd. He calls his own sheep by name.” When we see a crowd, we see exactly that, a crowd. We see people, not persons. A herd of humans. But not so with the Shepherd. To Him every face is different. Every face is a story. The Shepherd knows you. He knows your name. And He will never forget it. God said in Isaiah 49:16, “I have written your name on my hand.” Quite a thought isn’t it? Your name on God’s hand. My name on God’s hand…how could it be?”-- Max Lucado

Those words not only encourage and bless me, but they assure me of God’s love for me. In the 7th grade, I fell for a boy named Ronnie Wuerch. I wrote his name on my books, my folders and in the palm of my hand. It meant I was thinking about him all the time. And how awesome to know that our names are written in the palm of God's hand? He is in love with us. He's thinking about us all the time. We are individualized. We are so special. We are one-of-a-kind masterpieces. Yes, that, my friends, is TRUE LOVE! And, oh, by the way......your name is written on the palm of His hand, too!

The Twelve Days of Christmas – MERRY CHRISTMAS!

TToday is December 30th – which means it’s the 6th day of Christmas. A few days ago, upon my return home from Austin, I said in my post that I was going to start taking down my Christmas décor the next day. The inspiration came when my Austin Family were heading out of town for several days and they wanted to come home to a back-to-normal atmosphere. It would feel great for them not to face the de-Christmasing of their home upon return. We pitched in and succeeded!

That was my plan, too, until my BFF, Sheila Michie, commented on my post "Enjoy all 12 days of Christmas -- today's only the 4th day!" I checked out what she said, and it was true!! We’re still in the 12 Days of Christmas!! I quickly posted a retraction that I was holding off to savor in the flavors and favors of Christmas until the end of the 12 days. Here is the result of my research:

The "12 Days of Christmas" are the 12 days between Christmas Day, December 25th, the birth of Jesus, and January 6th, Epiphany -- the day Christians celebrate the arrival of the Magi (Wise Men) and the revelation of Christ as the Light of the world.

During the 15th to 18th centuries in England, it was a crime to be Catholic and they were prohibited from any practice of their faith by law -- private or public. Anyone caught with religious books or writings would be severely punished -- imprisonment, hanging or a beheaded. The song, “The Twelve Days of Christmas,” was written during that time of religious persecution. It was a kind of secret summary and memory tool of the principles of Christian beliefs that could be sung in public without fear of arrest.

In the song, the "true love" mentioned doesn't refer to an earthly lover. It refers to the "True Love" of God the Father, the greatest Giver. The “me” who receives the gift refers to all believers in Christ. Christ is presented as a mother partridge who fakes injury to lure predators from her helpless nestlings, much in memory of the expression of Christ's sadness over the fate of Jerusalem: "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, How often I have wanted to gather your children together as a hen gathers her chicks beneath her wings, but you wouldn’t let me..." Matthew 23:37.

Each line in the song is a code word for a religious truth:

1. The partridge in a pear tree is Jesus.

2. The two turtledoves are the Old and New Testaments.

3. Three French hens stand for faith, hope and love.

4. The four calling birds are the four Gospels.

5. The five gold rings recall the Hebrew Torah (Law), or the Pentateuch, the first five books of the Old Testament.

6. The six geese a-laying stand for the six days of creation.

7. The seven swans a-swimming represent the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit.

8. The eight maids a-milking are the eight Beatitudes.

9. The nine ladies dancing are the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit.

10. The ten lords a-leaping are the Ten Commandments.

11. Eleven pipers piping represent the eleven faithful Apostles.

12. Twelve drummers drumming symbolize the twelve points of doctrine in the Apostles Creed.

The Twelve Days of Christmas give us a reason to celebrate and exchange gifts. This old-fashioned approach to gift-giving eventually gave way to today's practice of exchanging gifts on Christmas Day.

So, I'm back to breathing in the "Oh Holy Night" of Christmas for a few more days. I'll bask in the 12 Days of Christmas – savoring the atmosphere as long as I can. I've resisted the urge to run out to the After-Christmas sales. As a matter of fact, the cold weather beckons the fireplace to be blazing, wearing the cozy attire and staying inside to experience THE Presence of Emmanuel -- God with us. I'm having a loving affair with the Lover in the song, and the Partridge in the Pear Tree. I'm journaling, reading, and embracing the moments, while preparing for a new year of serving, loving and giving. I pray that you, too, are experiencing Christmas peace and joy a few more days.

In the words of Paul Harvey…..”and now you know the REST of the STORY!" You’re welcome!

You Are Loved.....Don't Give Up

Day 309 of Photo Inspirations -- You Are Loved.....Don't Give Up

Some things just don't change.....but wouldn't it be great if they did? The first two kids, Cain and Abel, birthed from the first two parents, couldn't get along.  In fact their sibling rivalry led to the death of Abel.  Fast forward to Jacob, the dad, and Joseph, his son (his favorite son -- okay, that's already screaming "TROUBLE").  Why would a dad ever favor one of his kids over the other?  But he did, and little Joseph became the target of his 10 brothers -- to not just bully him, but to kill him. Fortunately, their evil plot was thwarted.

But people issues -- judging, bullying, gossiping, jealousy, arguing, etc. have been a part of humanity from the very beginning.  It's so unfortunate when we consider what all those "issues" do to people. That's why it's so important that we go to a higher level -- a place of love, concern, care and compassion for each other.

"Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." Luke 6:31
"So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other."  John 13:34

Maybe you're the one who is being judged and bullied, or lied about.  Here's the truth of the matter. YOU are loved!!    Don't let people get inside your head to make you think otherwise. You are loved and you are special!  God loves you so much and you are His masterpiece.  If you were the only person on earth, He would still have sent His one and only Son to pay the ultimate price for YOU. That's TRUE LOVE!  He took the high road.  It's time for us to take the high road, too.

Now, don't give up.....YOU ARE LOVED.  Watch this video of this beautiful song by Josh Groban...."You Are Loved.....Don't Give Up"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I-G8IfjPAII

A True Romance is Going On

Day 269 of Photo Inspirations -- A True Romance is Going On
So I've known romance.  My husband was the truest romantic EVER.  He loved candlelight, love songs, little "I love you" notes, surprise date locations, slow dancing, surprise gifts, and though I knew I wasn't the most beautiful girl in the world, he made me feel like I was.

I'm studying and preparing for a Bible Study I'll be leading, starting next Monday, the 5th.  God led me to the study of  "Knowing Them By Their Fruit" and "The Fruit of the Spirit".  The Fruit of the Spirit's qualities are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.  I believe the foundational quality of them all is LOVE.  After all, GOD IS LOVE, and He embodies all of those qualities.  That's why we pray...."Make me more like YOU!"

“And now abide these three: faith, hope and love.  But the greatest of these is love.”  1 Corinthians 13:13

Yes, my Sweetheart was a true romantic.  But the love talked about in this verse is the truest of true romantic loves.  The love of God -- THE purest love.   Completely selfless, immensely sacrificial, unstoppable, a burning and unquenchable passion, a jealous and unchanging love.  This makes it the strongest possible kind.  And one that is so incomparable.  It can’t be bought, it is only given.  It is never manipulated, but given with grace.  And it can never, ever be broken.  The truth is, not even death can contain, limit or abolish this awesome love of God.

And here's some really good news that those of us may miss or be longing for -- our relationship with God is a romance.  And a greater romance has never been told.  It’s a romance that is eternal, not like the world’s.  It’s a romance that is infinite.  It was being formed before the universe was spoken into existence.   That same love is the one, the same power that sustained Christ when He gave up His last breath on the cross to save a heartless and undeserving world.  And THAT love is woven and knit into each of His children.  He is constantly wooing us and romancing us through blessings that He continually pours out on our lives.  When no human stands with us through a storm, He is always there.  When we experience heartache and pain, He remains faithful.  This love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things.  Our romantic God shows us us what TRUE LOVE and TRUE romance is all about!

Here is how our romantic God shows what TRUE LOVE is:
Love is patient. Love is kind.  Love is not jealous. Love is not boastful.  Love is not rude.  Love is selfless.  Love forgives and forgets.  Love rejoices in the truth. Love never fails.

Good Friday is GOOD

Day 92 of Photo Inspirations -- Good Friday is GOOD!
You know the feelings...you, or someone you love is hurting so much, or your closest family member just passed away .....and it seems everywhere you look people are just fine -- they're laughing, they're carefree, they're going on with their busy lives, and you think, "How could life be going on when I hurt so much?"

I've been there, and I know how life can go on.  It's because of this day. This is GOOD FRIDAY -- the DAY OF ALL DAYS -- that should be commemorated with thanksgiving, celebrations, and everywhere we looked were crosses adorned with neon lights, and music and bands playing and choirs singing -- and we'd see people paying homage and offering tributes about what this day means.

On this day, the most scandalous betrayal of justice in human history took place. Jesus wasn’t guilty of any crime or sin. After the illegal trials, this loving, giving, compassionate, caring, innocent Man was stripped and tied to a post. He was whipped and beatened -- too horrible to even imagine. He was betrayed by His friends, and spit on by countless people.   He was forced to carry a wooden cross to Calvary where nails were driven through his wrists and ankles and He was left to die.   He could have called ten thousand angels to his side, but He refused. Instead, He died there for you and me.  He loved so we could LIVE!

THIS IS THE DAY Christ bore every sin we've ever committed, He carried every sickness we have ever had, and will have.  He gave His life so that WE WOULD LIVE FOREVER and EVER!   How could we be so distracted and be so oblivious to this DAY OF ALL DAYS?  Never again, do we wonder if we are loved.  God thought our eternal life was worth the death of His only Son.  Now that's TRUE LOVE! GOOD FRIDAY!  Oh, happy day!  Now, let's strike up the band and shoot off the fireworks.  This DAY is worth the grandest celebration -- this day marks our FREE PASS to heaven and PEACE on this earth.

Springs of Living Water

Day 89 of Photo Inspirations -- Springs of Living Water
Each year I MUST have my annual family photo taken. This one was at the BOK Bear Plaza fountain.  To my grandchildren's delight, the fountain wasn't on, so they could climb all over the bears.  It made for such a great family adventure.

I passed by that landmark just a few days ago and the waters were flowing freely.  I thought about my photo moments just a few months before, but I also thought about the free-flowing "Living Water".  This is Holy Week, the last week of Christ's life, remembering especially His passion and resurrection, and the "Living Water" He gave during His short 33 years of life on earth.

He had been the "Living Water" to those He healed, those He restored to life, those He gave a new future, and those He forgave and made whole.  And those who drank His living water, never thirst again.

I think about the story of the woman of Samaria who had made many mistakes, and when she came to the well for natural water, she left with "Living Water".  Her story is our story too.  It's a story where God finds us also worthy of His love in spite of our mistakes.  As a result of the encounter with Jesus, she, who had been an outcast from her own people, found out what TRUE LOVE is all about.  To be wanted, to be cared for when no one, not even herself, could see anything of value in her -- was grace indeed.   Jesus told her:  "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks THE water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, THE water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life. John 4:13

And, THAT "Living Water" she experienced could not be held in, she became an evangelist of Jesus when she ran to tell others about Him.  "Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in Him because of the woman's testimony" John 4:39-42

And those words are an invitation that should echo in our ears, too. Jesus stands at the doors of our hearts, offering to us these "living waters".  "If ANYONE is thirsty, let him come to ME and drink."  The first requirement is thirst.  It is an inate part of our humanity -- to have a spiritual thirst.  And, that thirst, is what we bring to our relationship with God.  Drinking that LIVING WATER means aligning with Him, trusting Him, receiving, and believing in Him.  When we believe, we open our hearts to receive what his grace offers. I urge you today..."Come on in.....THE WATER IS FINE!"

My Name is in His Hand

I'm a fan of Max Lucado's writings -- he's so real and relevant, and what he says touches my heart so much. This one, I just had to pass on to my wonderful FB friends:

"When I see a flock of sheep I see exactly that, a flock. A rabble of wool. I don’t see a sheep. I see sheep. All alike. None different. But not so with the Shepherd. To Him every sheep is different. Every face has a story. John 10:3 says, “The sheep listen to the voice of the shepherd. He calls his own sheep by name.”

When we see a crowd, we see exactly that, a crowd. We see people, not persons. A herd of humans. But not so with the Shepherd. To Him every face is different. Every face is a story. The Shepherd knows you. He knows your name. And he will never forget it.

God said in Isaiah 49:16, “I have written your name on my hand.” Quite a thought isn’t it? Your name on God’s lips. My… could it be? -- Max Lucado
In the 7th grade, I fell for a boy named "Ronnie" Wuerch. I wrote his name in the palm of my hand. It meant I was thinking about him all the time. And how awesome to know that our names are written in the palm of God's hand? He's thinking about us all the time. We are individualized. We are so special. We are exactly who He planned us to be. We are one-of-a-kind masterpieces. Yes, that my friends, is TRUE LOVE!