Happy Valentines Day world! I have always loved Valentines Day! With the exception of one year when I was dealing with a super recent breakup, I've always looked forward to Valentines Day, whether single or with someone just to wear something pink and celebrate love in general! Even today I'm sporting a pink and black dress with a blazer over it and pink floral accessory :D. Today, I was reading Revelations, and it got me thinking about New Love. (yes, Revelations got me thinking about love, lol) You know, the feeling when you first fall for someone and you just see stars and roses everywhere, lol. And then the contrast 6 months to a year later, when it [hopefully] is still love, but it requires a bit more work to keep things as exciting, but of course, if you really love that person you put in the work, time and compromises to make sure the other person is happy.
But of course, since this is my inspirational blog, you know this post isn't really about that kind of love, but the love we have for God. I remember when i first got saved, I went home all giddy and made a pact with myself that I wanted to have that feeling - the feeling of God's spirit descending on me every day, and so I would dedicate at least 30 minutes each morning to sing, pray, read my Bible, prostrate or do whatever I had to do to get my praise out. I could hardly hold it in! I told everyone about it. "Hey Fey, you coming out tonight?" No- I'll just stay home and read some scriptures, or head to Bible Study. I just wanted to spend time with God. It was so easy and so natural. I know someone reading this has felt this at some point or another about a guy/gal you just met, lol and many also when you first were saved.
I'll give myself just a little bit of credit that I kept with that for a very long time, though as time went on, it got harder. My schedule got super packed and it wasn't so easy to get up that extra 30 minutes early to pray so enthusiastically - and sometimes at all. And knowing myself, I have the least energy at night and admittedly fall asleep (as opposed to purposely going to bed) many nights, so the evening prayers didn't exactly makeup for it (and sometimes didn't even happen). I had to start talking to myself in the morning "this is important. God needs to see my heart. This has to be a priority." I never had to give myself pep talks before - what was happening? Then I went through phases where I just went through the motions and hardly stopped to pray. Overslept a few times and didn't pray at all. How did I go from really getting to know God more and more, to just being there?
There's something to be said about how special new love is. Its giddy. Its carefree. Its exciting. But there's so much more to be said about making love a priority, and making it work.
But of course, since this is my inspirational blog, you know this post isn't really about that kind of love, but the love we have for God. I remember when i first got saved, I went home all giddy and made a pact with myself that I wanted to have that feeling - the feeling of God's spirit descending on me every day, and so I would dedicate at least 30 minutes each morning to sing, pray, read my Bible, prostrate or do whatever I had to do to get my praise out. I could hardly hold it in! I told everyone about it. "Hey Fey, you coming out tonight?" No- I'll just stay home and read some scriptures, or head to Bible Study. I just wanted to spend time with God. It was so easy and so natural. I know someone reading this has felt this at some point or another about a guy/gal you just met, lol and many also when you first were saved.
I'll give myself just a little bit of credit that I kept with that for a very long time, though as time went on, it got harder. My schedule got super packed and it wasn't so easy to get up that extra 30 minutes early to pray so enthusiastically - and sometimes at all. And knowing myself, I have the least energy at night and admittedly fall asleep (as opposed to purposely going to bed) many nights, so the evening prayers didn't exactly makeup for it (and sometimes didn't even happen). I had to start talking to myself in the morning "this is important. God needs to see my heart. This has to be a priority." I never had to give myself pep talks before - what was happening? Then I went through phases where I just went through the motions and hardly stopped to pray. Overslept a few times and didn't pray at all. How did I go from really getting to know God more and more, to just being there?
There's something to be said about how special new love is. Its giddy. Its carefree. Its exciting. But there's so much more to be said about making love a priority, and making it work.
Of course everyone knows who that is on the right. America's favorite couple! (or at least mine) Barack and Michelle. What's so amazing about them, is their sense of togetherness - even with their crazy schedules and responsibilities. Even though Mr. President is running for office, trying to save the economy, signing and defending so many bills, appointing people etcetera, everyone knows that Friday night is date night with his wife, and something super crucial has to come up for that to cancel. Same with Ms. First Lady. Although we all love her beauty and sense of style - she also was a very busy and successful lawyer before becoming the first lady, and now spends time supporting the President's endeavors, his campaigns and in so many speaking engagements and campaigns of her own - but Friday night is her time with him. I can't say that I know everything about their relationship, but what this says to me is that they are a priority to each other, even with the other super pressing things happening in their lives. They make sure their relationship is never overlooked and that their love never burns out for each other.
Very few of us are as busy as the President and Mrs, but how much do we really work to preserve this kind of love - almost bottle that new love towards God and the people in our lives? How often do we have an excuse as to why we don't have time to do God's work? How much do you prioritize it and protect it, like you would a first date with someone you like?
No one likes to be last on the priority list. I'm pretty sure no one here would really be happy or stay with someone who only gave their left over time, but didn't make an effort to show you love each day. The Bible defines love largely as sacrificial and in terms of actions that you have to work towards:
"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. " 1 Corinthians 13:4-7
Patience takes work - you have to take the time to consider the other person. Kindness takes work - you have to make an effort to actually do kind things. Keeping no record of wrongs takes A LOT of work, lol. Protecting takes work - protecting time, feelings, safety for someone else. Persevering by definition takes work. Love requires work. How much are we working to show God and others love?
Very few of us are as busy as the President and Mrs, but how much do we really work to preserve this kind of love - almost bottle that new love towards God and the people in our lives? How often do we have an excuse as to why we don't have time to do God's work? How much do you prioritize it and protect it, like you would a first date with someone you like?
No one likes to be last on the priority list. I'm pretty sure no one here would really be happy or stay with someone who only gave their left over time, but didn't make an effort to show you love each day. The Bible defines love largely as sacrificial and in terms of actions that you have to work towards:
"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. " 1 Corinthians 13:4-7
Patience takes work - you have to take the time to consider the other person. Kindness takes work - you have to make an effort to actually do kind things. Keeping no record of wrongs takes A LOT of work, lol. Protecting takes work - protecting time, feelings, safety for someone else. Persevering by definition takes work. Love requires work. How much are we working to show God and others love?
In closing, I'd like to share the scripture that got this all started. I'm sure you're also wondering how Revelations could ever spark a whole thought train on love [read it a bit more often, there's a lot of good stuff in there ;) ]
"You have forsaken your first love. Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first." -Rev 2: 4-5
Remember the things you did when you first found Christ, and return to them. Give God that daily kiss/praise like the picture to the left! Remember to also share that love with the people around you! People need it. I'm speaking to myself too, but wanted to share it with everyone as well. Stay blessed, thank you for your readership, and have a super awesome Valentines Day!!
"You have forsaken your first love. Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first." -Rev 2: 4-5
Remember the things you did when you first found Christ, and return to them. Give God that daily kiss/praise like the picture to the left! Remember to also share that love with the people around you! People need it. I'm speaking to myself too, but wanted to share it with everyone as well. Stay blessed, thank you for your readership, and have a super awesome Valentines Day!!
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