| L O V E |

Love is a verb. It is an action given out and taken in. For some they love themselves better than they love others and for others they love others better than themselves. I myself am the ladder of the two. First and foremost we are called to love our God with ALL of our heart. As the saying goes LOVE GOD LOVE PEOPLE.

If you have ever met my mother you would know I'm a product of most all that makes her the special women I love. There was not a day my mom didn't tell me she loved me, not a competition she wasn't at screaming like the crazy women she was, nor a school event that she wasn't front and center to snap a pic for the many photo albums I now hold dear to my heart. What my mother taught me though was to believe in those I love and believe in them with all my heart. Coming to know and love Jesus wasn't hard it was basically written in my DNA. Loving and building relationships with others wasn't hard either it's one of my favorite things to do. The hard part for me was loving me and allowing myself to be loved by others.

I wrote before how I struggled with being obedient to God and his plan for my life. For me I see those around me getting into relationships, settling down, and starting the next chapter of their story. I desire to have all these things yet I'm not obedient to God and allowing him to open my heart to such experiences. I find myself shutting doors before I ever fully give them the opportunity to open and develop because of past experiences in my life.

"We are products of our past, but we don't have to be prisoners of it." - Pastor Rick Warren

Allowing my past to dictate me puts a barrier between me and God and me and my future. It hinders my ability to open my heart to the love of others and be fully immersed in the relationships I build. Learning to let go has been one of the biggest struggles for me personally. I love being in control and taking lead of many of life's challenges. Coming to know God though is knowing that you are no longer in control that He has it now. He shows me daily that I am loved for so many more reasons than I knew, he shows me that he cares, and he shows me that good things are coming.

I am challenged
I am inspired
I am motivated

By the words God wrote for us. I know that today I may feel I failed. Tomorrow is a new day and another opportunity to be  obedient, passionate in my pursuit, and intentional with my actions because I am LOVED.

1 Corinthians 13:4-5
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.

XO,
  M.K.M