True Love
Do you remember your first love? How excited you were to have someone you hoped would be with you forever? If you were anything like me, you made plans for the future and then tried not to think about the little things that might not be what you were hoping – the idiosyncrasies of the other. Not really looking at your own, but definitely seeing all of theirs.
In my mid-forties, I don’t think I’m intolerably critical anymore; I have developed past my teenage ways. But when you think you may want to live with someone for the rest of your life, you do tend to notice things, wondering if you can “take it” for a lifetime. Of course, once you’ve crossed that threshold into married life, you better have decided to stick it out for the long haul.
I heard once, the thing which attracts you to the person you married, more than likely, will be the thing that detracts you in later life. For instance, you may have thought the other was hilariously funny with all their joking ways, or incredibly insightful with their “realistic” view of life. Then come to find out the jokes were a way to avoid thinking seriously, or the realism was truly pessimism. Then what do you do? Give up and walk away, look past and hold fast, or recognize your own issues and grow in love toward the other.
Let’s look at TRUE LOVE -
- Love is patient.
- Love is kind.
- Love is not jealous.
- Love does not brag.
- Love is not arrogant.
- Love does not act unbecomingly.
- Love does not seek its own.
- Love is not easily provoked.
- Love does not take into account a wrong suffered.
- Love does not rejoice in unrighteosness.
- Love does rejoice with the truth.
- Love bears all things.
- Love believes all things.
- Love hopes all things.
- Love endures all things.
When I read that list…I just shut my mouth.
The “True Love” list is taken from 1 Corinthians 13:4-7.
April 28, 2008 at 7:45 pm
I’m waiting patiently for my next love.
Have been for quite some time.
But I remember my first.
My last, too.
And everyone in between.
Think I’m going to shut up now.
April 28, 2008 at 7:52 pm
Well, after I posted I realized I didn’t give enough different examples, I didn’t mean to only talk of love in marriage…it was just the easiest for me to grab examples…
April 28, 2008 at 8:20 pm
S’okay. That list is certainly an important one for marriage, and you’ve had more practice than me.
April 28, 2008 at 10:28 pm
We’re celebrating our 25th this August!!
April 28, 2008 at 11:43 pm
Yeah. You’ve had a little more practice than me.
April 29, 2008 at 12:02 am
But, NorEaster, off the marriage topic…I went through this well-read passage while getting ready for a study on brotherly love. I shouldn’t have just kept it in the marriage realm, I suppose that’s where I see the need for the most work (if you didn’t guess, Comic Phat and me *the pessimist*).
But, really, do we love one another in this way – isn’t it the way we are to treat everyone – loving our neighbor as ourselves, and all that?!
April 29, 2008 at 12:05 am
God is good to smooth all those things that irritate, and heal all those things that hurt…without HIM I would not still be married, I have been with my Hubs for 15 years and there was a section of that time when I really thought there was no way…except for Yahweh! HE was faithful and we are so much better for the rough roads we had to experience.. God is totally for us, i think that is my hardest thing to believe, I do, but if my unbelief surfaces that will be where it is…
i love this chapter on love…I was once shown that I could substitute God’s name in there and see HIS heart in how HE loves…very sweet to me…I want to be just like HIM when I grow up!
April 29, 2008 at 12:28 am
Michelle,
Ponder this. I love my wife so much I’m divorcing her.
She left me a year ago.
When I married her almost seven years ago there wasn’t much love involved – she’s 14 years younger.
I’ve grown to think love is wanting what’s best for her and striving to bring it about. She just plain grew up while fighting her resentments of me. I’m not even sure if it is a real marriage in God’s eyes. I didn’t ask his permission – I demanded it of him.
Much suffering for all involved including the children – daughter, 6, and son, 10, who I truly love.
It is easier for me to relate to the father – child love of a parent than the love that’s supposed to be there between spouses.
And it’s really hard to relate to Chapter 15 of John’s Gospel when Jesus gets to talking about loving others as yourself. It’s taken years to learn to see through “My Father’s Eyes” instead of looking at myself through my poor self-esteem.
When you get to unconditional love, that’s when it really gets hard. Do I seek out those who I would love or do I let God do the picking and try to love and serve everyone God puts in my path?
Let me know how your study turns out. Personally, I’ll pick David and Jonathan as the example of brotherly love with Paul and Silas a close second.
-Sam
April 29, 2008 at 12:42 am
sam- i am praying for you to know what God has to say and will do on your behalf…my personal experience is this…”fight for your marriage and your family on your knees..God will honor that fight, and ALL things are possible for HIM” feeling your heart in this…God does love you unconditionally..without end…HE is for you!
April 29, 2008 at 2:05 am
[...] what love is here … http://considerjesus.wordpress.com/2008/04/28/true-love/ and Ric Booth makes us ponder craving everything here … [...]
April 29, 2008 at 2:08 am
Sam – I’ve been praying this sits well with you…my heart is to share my struggle. Granted, I have never experienced divorce, but I have seen it and understand the pain involved, in as much as I can, as a sister…
“And it’s really hard to relate to Chapter 15 of John’s Gospel when Jesus gets to talking about loving others as yourself. It’s taken years to learn to see through “My Father’s Eyes” instead of looking at myself through my poor self-esteem.
When you get to unconditional love, that’s when it really gets hard.”
Amen, Sam. I assume you read through the last post and comment thread – I’ve had much of the same fight (self-esteem issues)…I still struggle. Nothing I write about comes easily for me.
I was explaining to one of my sons, last evening, about two becoming one. He is sure he is in love, but she has moved away. He is the believer and she wants to believe but feels so terribly about her sin, she won’t believe it’s all as simple as a free gift. He has done a beautiful job of telling her the truth and showing her love – not perfect – he’s still a teenager…anyway…I don’t know where the illustration came from (I have an inkling
) but I explained:
1×1=1 (1 whole person x 1 whole person = 1 whole marriage)
Two separate individuals combining to become one whole unit…
I had a huge hole in me that needed filling – not the God-hole – I was a Christian very early in life, but had an issue with liking myself due to shame from things I could not control. My husband has had his own issues as well – don’t we all? I recognized my need to be ‘whole’ when a teenager and sought help for poor self-esteem. I’ve never been one to shun Christian psychologists/psychiatrists – Christian being the operative word.
I would not consider myself a complete separate (as in whole – psychologically) individual at 21, when we were married – I could suck the energy out of any friend with all my needs. Our marriage was more like:
.75 x 1 = .75 (me sucking the life out of it)
I have benefitted from years of counseling, I’ve needed it, shame can cause one to not think clearly. I also began studying God’s word in-depth in my mid-twenties and, with the Holy Spirit’s guidance, I have become a better spouse, not perfect, just better…
Phat (my husband
) didn’t need to grow much in his role as a husband – he has always seen his role as a servant leader – self-sacrificing as Christ loves the Church – giving His all for her. Phat has given to me sacrificially and has treated me as ‘fine china’ – the weaker vessel – he honors and cherishes me and lives in understanding with me…that’s a very high call. He gave MORE for years – I still think he gives more…
I would say we began our marriage as two emotionally deprived, immature young adults, but we were madly in love with God and eachother…so we have weathered the storms – many turbulent, terrifying storms – together. We have somehow beat the odds, but it hasn’t been easy…
I imagine it would have been much easier if we had grown more, healthy and well-balanced, before marriage (the reason for the illustration with my son – trying to keep him from some heartache). However, you know the verse, it’s better to marry than burn – we needed to get married!!
I have no idea if I’ve given any insights that might be helpful…I will pray for your situation and hope for His power to work in and through you, to appropriate the love He has placed within you through the Holy Spirit, to her and your children, amen. When one leaves another, and you know you’ve done all through God’s Spirit He has asked of you….
April 29, 2008 at 2:17 am
Darla – I love your comments and your desire to keep it real – you are a blessing!!
“there was no way…except for Yahweh”
April 29, 2008 at 3:41 am
:-X
<B
April 29, 2008 at 3:41 am
where have i seen those before???
<B
April 29, 2008 at 3:44 am
You’ve stumped me – What?!
April 29, 2008 at 3:49 am
1. keeping my mouth shut…
2. The list of Love is… they look remarkably similar to my Blog Creed at the head of my blog page i have taught you well
<B
April 29, 2008 at 3:51 am
Do you ’suffer’ insomnia btw?
<B
April 29, 2008 at 3:52 am
Should I be *aheming* in here???
No one answered my *ahem* at Loves place
April 29, 2008 at 3:54 am
Were you there, sorry??
April 29, 2008 at 3:55 am
I *just* was there.
April 29, 2008 at 3:56 am
Michelle this post makes me think of Phil Wickhams song “True Love”
LOVE that song.
April 29, 2008 at 3:57 am
Here is a link to that song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9gU-ejQxEXk
April 29, 2008 at 3:57 am
Okay am I going to Spam or something b/c twice I posted a link to that song and it didn’t show up??
BUMMER!
April 29, 2008 at 3:59 am
I don’t know that song – went to Love’s to talk over there – sorry!
April 29, 2008 at 3:59 am
haha I just posted back to you there too. GOODNESS! haha!!
Did my links go to spam??
April 29, 2008 at 4:01 am
So Michelle, fill me in…..
Brothers and Sisters….what happened?? Also, do you watch DH?? I need to catch up.
April 29, 2008 at 4:02 am
i do love the insight contained in the last para before the True Love List.
As for Sam i have been just where He is (but did not have the grasp of His LOVE i do in my more mature years) and divorced my wife after making an attempt at reconciliation following a temporary separation. This reconciliation did not ‘take’ and we agreed to part – we had no children to complicate the situation and only considered our own and each other’s feelings at the time.
Sam i can only offer the following words… there must have been some love for you to want to marry and to have two children with your partner/wife – and for her to agree to marriage and children ( not necessarily in that order
) True Love conquers all – if we allow it to rule over our own insecurities/doubts.
If our own ego’s insist upon ruining a relationship and this cannot be overcome by BOTH parties then divorce may be the solution – i pray that it is not so in your case and that your decision to enter into marriage was not undertaken from ego more than Love.
I hope i am wiser now than when i entered into my own.
<B
April 29, 2008 at 4:02 am
Yes, spam monster ate you up
Let’s go to Love’s, I’m NOT a stat hahem…
April 29, 2008 at 4:03 am
Hey! my stats are good for the month – wanna chat here? Hi Brandy!
April 29, 2008 at 4:04 am
no no I like your green. heehee I LOVE green. I am decorating in shades of green in this new house. Besides, we should take turns. heehee
April 29, 2008 at 4:05 am
Love, I like what you just had to say up there A LOT. A. LOT.
April 29, 2008 at 4:05 am
Yes lets chat here! HI LOVE!!
April 29, 2008 at 4:06 am
Michelle, I saw what you said at Loves…your hubs is starting to complain. Maybe we should hook our hubs up b/c they have something in common.
heehee
April 29, 2008 at 4:07 am
Love, *If I may*, how long were you married before?
April 29, 2008 at 4:10 am
Hmmm… i have to admit that while i am in Heaven having THREE gorgeous redheads spending time with me in cyberspace i do have ‘reservations about taking time from your real lives – they come first – but i can understand the ‘need’ for a little ‘me’ space now and then!
so do what is right always is the rule – ok?
Thank you Brandy – i have learned SOME good lesons over the years
<B
April 29, 2008 at 4:10 am
Ahhh Michelle, I just read through this whole post (I always START posts and get distracted…this time I made it though haha) and it is SO GOOD!! And SO TRUE!! Especially your last paragraph.
April 29, 2008 at 4:12 am
Love you have BTDT so I would expect some wisdom from you.
Don’t worry about taking from our “real lives” We are big girls…are we not Michelle? heehee
Besides, this IS my me time….it just happens to be spread out throughout my day in spurts, some spurts lasting longer than others. 
hehe
I do try to fill Jake in on what goes on here, but he is soooo not a people person and couldn’t really care less.
He does listen though. That’s good. 
April 29, 2008 at 4:13 am
‘Chelle.. we’re over HERE! giggle
Bran – i married my darling wifey when she was 18 and i was 23 – it lasted just until we bought our first home – around 2.5 years only – life changed more for her than it did for me. Not my preferred ‘choice’ but it was perhaps the best one – perhaps.
I’m all better now though
<B
April 29, 2008 at 4:13 am
Michelle, did you check out that link I sent you?? I am in love with Phil Wickham. Seriously.
hahaha!! And Jake knows it. 
He says: You seriously like this guy? I don’t get it, but whatever. hahahaha!!! Cracks me up.
April 29, 2008 at 4:14 am
I’m here – you guys are too fast !!
April 29, 2008 at 4:15 am
Wow, you were young, both of you. It is HARDER I think when you marry so young. *sigh*
I was 19 and Jake was 21.
Do you know what she is doing now? Or would you rather not know?
My sister and her husband were 21 when they got married and have barely been married two years and keep going back and forth with divorce. And they have two littles.
April 29, 2008 at 4:16 am
Michelle, I have smoke coming off of my keyboard. hahaha!
April 29, 2008 at 4:16 am
No, haven’t yet – but I will…
Phat and I met at 18 and married at 21 – but if you read the thread, you know we’ve been married almost 25 years.
April 29, 2008 at 4:17 am
Oh wait Love, my mistake, they will be married three years this summer.
April 29, 2008 at 4:17 am
Is his name short for anything?? I like it.
April 29, 2008 at 4:18 am
brb…. baby screaming upstairs!
April 29, 2008 at 4:18 am
Comic Phat – He’s the funny one in the family
April 29, 2008 at 4:19 am
Agree with the harder younger Bran,
‘Chelle i bet that was not always easy – do you think a common faith helped a lot?
<B
April 29, 2008 at 4:20 am
I’ve seen the effects of divorce – some say it’s worse than a death – ‘cuz in a death at least no one chose to go.
April 29, 2008 at 4:20 am
hurry back Bran – he’s not the only male who misses his Mom it seems
April 29, 2008 at 4:21 am
So you are the ’serious one huh Michelle?? i can see smile lines showing!
April 29, 2008 at 4:22 am
Totally – I married a minister and we were both dedicated to the Lord…comment 11 more fully describes our troubles…
Love, do you ever want to marry again?
April 29, 2008 at 4:22 am
My mom is in the middle of her second divorce. I had no idea how nasty they can get. It’s very sad.
I told Jake “even if I absolutely hated you I think I’d rather stay married than go through a bad divorce” and then I started laughing hysterically. Sometimes my sense of humor is not so funny.
April 29, 2008 at 4:22 am
Divorce is not a thing i would wish on anyone… i do think too many rush into mariage without proper ‘caution’ for the heavy responsibility it brings however.
April 29, 2008 at 4:23 am
I don’t think people really understand sacrifice…it’s never easy.
April 29, 2008 at 4:23 am
would i marry again?
in a second if Tam were available
Not that i would want anything bad to happen to Brent of course!
April 29, 2008 at 4:24 am
That’s terrible!! Although I’m sure she’s flattered…
April 29, 2008 at 4:24 am
What was i saying about marrying in a rush without something something??
April 29, 2008 at 4:25 am
I was just reading your comment #11….. sounds like you guys have been through a lot. Like YOU have been through a lot.
Counseling ROCKS. SERIOUSLY.
April 29, 2008 at 4:25 am
LOVE!!
April 29, 2008 at 4:26 am
I think Tam is blushing somewhere.
April 29, 2008 at 4:26 am
I wouldn’t be here without it – I seriously think I would have sunk so low, I might have done something stupid – God kept me safe…
April 29, 2008 at 4:26 am
All i’m saying is Tam is so lovable! (as are presnt company of course – Tam and i have just had longer to become ‘acquanited’)
April 29, 2008 at 4:27 am
sorry ‘chelle did you meanwithout counselling or without faith ( my q a few comments back?)
April 29, 2008 at 4:28 am
Tam is amazing – you have very good taste – too bad, Brent beat ‘ya to her…HAHAHA!!
April 29, 2008 at 4:28 am
I was warned by EVERYONE before we got married and so many people quoted statistics about how young marriages end in divorce and so on and so on. My Aunt, God Bless her, is STILL telling me that people should NEVER marry in their twenties b/c they are too selfish.
I literally had people coming through the drivethru coffee shop I worked at asking me when my FUNERAL was.
I now know, what they were talking about. Not that I agree with them, but I see where they were worried. It is hard.
April 29, 2008 at 4:29 am
Tam IS loveable Love.
Too bad you haven’t met her IRL. 
She’s fun. 
April 29, 2008 at 4:30 am
Probably counseling – My God kept me and intervened through putting Christian counselors in my path – I wasn’t secure in my salvation as a teenager…didn’t come to the understanding of God’s keeping me until later in life.
April 29, 2008 at 4:30 am
Michelle, I understand what you mean about the counseling. Even though we have faith, sometimes when your head isn’t right, you need that extra help to pull you back up.
April 29, 2008 at 4:32 am
You were young, Bran, and I was only 2 years older…I know we were meant for eachother, but is it ever easy to merge 2 lives in our self-absorbant world?
April 29, 2008 at 4:32 am
Alright friends, I have to go. Moderation here.
Actually, Jake rented a movie I have been wanting to see! 
JUNO. I am excited. Even though I wanted to go to bed an hour ago, how can I now that he went and did that for me??? 
Happens everytime! hahah! 
Love ya Love!
Love ya Michelle!
You two have fun and don’t say anything I wouldn’t say.
hahahaha!!
April 29, 2008 at 4:32 am
Marry in Haste – repent at leisure!
( funny to some – sad reminder for others i guess) ?
Bran – i think it is important that we learn to talk to and listen to our other ‘half’ – many things in life are hard but a good marriage is a blessing to you both.
April 29, 2008 at 4:33 am
Night Bran-muffin – moderation is GOOD!
next time! &hearts:
April 29, 2008 at 4:33 am
Good night, Bran, enjoy the movie!! Love you, too…
April 29, 2008 at 4:34 am
I just love you two to pieces!
Seriously now, I’m going. Stop pulling my arm. That hurts.
Let GO of my hair! I need to go spend some time with aforementioned husband now.
heehee
HAHAHAHAHA!!
April 29, 2008 at 4:34 am
♥ even
April 29, 2008 at 4:35 am
Well, Love, how old are you? Or do you not share that kind of info online?
April 29, 2008 at 4:37 am
Still awake?
April 29, 2008 at 4:38 am
Barely…but I am interested in knowing more about you…if you’re willing to share…
April 29, 2008 at 4:38 am
i do tend to be aware of how easy it is for others to gain personal information out of the internet – but if you promise not to tell anyone – i am in my 7×7th year currently
April 29, 2008 at 4:39 am
It’s 11:38 here…very late for me…
April 29, 2008 at 4:39 am
and to answer you more honestly…
April 29, 2008 at 4:40 am
We’re not so far apart then – I’ll be 46 in a few days – I should know better, Phat’s already had his identity stolen twice!!
April 29, 2008 at 4:40 am
I am VERY aware of the responsibility Marriage places upon TWO people and while i hope one day to find someone with whom i can grow together and offer love that i have to give to – i am considering Jesus! Hmmm.. that might make a good blog name – ya think?
April 29, 2008 at 4:41 am
11:38?? you might want to reset your blogcomment clock? i thought it was 4 30 am??
April 29, 2008 at 4:42 am
Very good name, one I’ve had a hard time keeping light.
April 29, 2008 at 4:42 am
really? i hope that was not a costly learning experience??
April 29, 2008 at 4:42 am
Yeah – I have no clue how to do that – but it keeps me up with London time
April 29, 2008 at 4:43 am
He tracked everything down quickly – being a techy guy – he knew how – but you do feel a sense of invasion…
April 29, 2008 at 4:44 am
lol – i will send some info via e-mail to adjust – if you like?
how do you mean hard time keeping the name light? does it ‘attract’ a certain blog comment normally?
April 29, 2008 at 4:45 am
One would feel invaded- i have been ‘lucky’ ( and care-full)
April 29, 2008 at 4:45 am
I think the subject is heavy – life changing and serious – I don’t have much fluff, if ever – but it’s more to my temperament…we are who we are.
April 29, 2008 at 4:46 am
may i venture into the realm of Math for a second or three? – i’ll keep it ‘basic’ – and short ok?
April 29, 2008 at 4:46 am
We always should be true to who we TRULY are – never to our impostor ego however.
April 29, 2008 at 4:47 am
Phat’s ready to sleep – I better put the laptop away – I’ve loved the exchange!!
You have a wonderful day, Love!! Catch some waves – or is it too chilly??
April 29, 2008 at 4:48 am
Please do…
April 29, 2008 at 4:48 am
The trick is to be aware of which is which of course – a trick i have not always fully mastered
April 29, 2008 at 4:48 am
I’m not following…
April 29, 2008 at 4:50 am
another day then ( for the Math) Please do not disrupt your real life for this ‘fake’ one
and it is chilly and i don’t actually Surf – :shock; unAussie i know – Sleep Well and Hug that comic guy – ok? 
April 29, 2008 at 4:50 am
LOOOVE!!! WOOHOO!!
I’m all ready for Math now…
April 29, 2008 at 4:51 am
and we just hit 100
April 29, 2008 at 4:51 am
was just saying – our ego is an ‘impostor ) not who we TRULY are) ( inside) we need to learn to detect the difference we carry in our own body/self. Clear?
April 29, 2008 at 4:52 am
I’m all alone…
April 29, 2008 at 4:52 am
YAY! ok – can yo sleep happy or do you want a quick math lesson?
– up to you? 
( is only lunch time for me!)
April 29, 2008 at 4:53 am
YOU ARE NEVER EVER ALONE!!! He won’t let you be!
April 29, 2008 at 4:53 am
I have read your comments on ego lots – I’m just not familiar with the philosophy…
April 29, 2008 at 4:54 am
give me the lesson.
April 29, 2008 at 4:55 am
maybe i need to write a personal philosophy book? math – or Hugging Hub and sleep – ( tough choice right??
)
April 29, 2008 at 4:55 am
PLEEEEEZE
April 29, 2008 at 4:55 am
‘k – a quick one… re your 1X1 = 1 thought above…
April 29, 2008 at 4:56 am
I’m so slow – I usually move at a snail’s pace – y’all’s quick exchanges and fast fingers are intimidating
April 29, 2008 at 4:56 am
that is multiplication! Humans ‘work’ via addition.. 1+1 = 2! But Scripture says ‘One Flesh ( two become…)
April 29, 2008 at 4:57 am
Yes, I thought that’s what you were referencing
April 29, 2008 at 4:57 am
Multiplication however is basically ‘multiple addition’ 7 X 1 means adding one seven ‘times’ to give the result ‘7′…
April 29, 2008 at 4:58 am
I thought about that – but isn’t multiplication just “fast addition”
April 29, 2008 at 4:59 am
My Point here is… when we add one human to another ( opposite sex) human we get… i Child ( mostly ( multiple births are another longer ’story’!
…
April 29, 2008 at 4:59 am
So 1+1 can equal 1!
April 29, 2008 at 5:00 am
There is more but the hour is late and there is always tomorrow – Tonight was much Fun and interesting
April 29, 2008 at 5:01 am
Yes!!! And if you accept the multiplication analogy – because spirtually God’s love multiplies – is infinite – so…
1×1x1=1 Doesn’t it? 3 distinct persons in 1?
April 29, 2008 at 5:02 am
and am sorry for the ‘intimidation’ – would be nice if there was an ‘easier’ way we could all have our own say
April 29, 2008 at 5:02 am
Isn’t it all about UNITY??
April 29, 2008 at 5:04 am
It’s been much fun!! I’m always bringing up the rear – I’m used to being slow – others just aren’t familiar with my pace…sorry!!
April 29, 2008 at 5:04 am
I agree – ONE is the correct result of 1X1X1
God’s love multiples – nice – Go forthand multiply! 
Night ‘Chelle’ thank you for this chat
April 29, 2008 at 5:05 am
Love is Patient! ( and sometimes too fast for its/his own good!)
April 29, 2008 at 5:06 am
Good night, Love!!! Thank you
April 29, 2008 at 2:45 pm
my gosh. i feel like i just walked into a private chat room!
doesn’t ANYONE sleep around here???
Michelle: just wanted to say that everysingletime i read that passage i think: this is impossible. this is SO not humanly possible. was Paul talking about how WE are supposed to act? or how LOVE is supposed to act if we are loving? how do we recognize love? it looks like the list.
April 29, 2008 at 3:05 pm
Good morning, Mandy, it was another late night – but then my clock is still running on Greenwich Mean Time – need to change it to Texas time!!
“this is SO not humanly possible”
Amen, only through the indwelling Holy Spirit do we even come close to this way of loving…I believe it is a list (a definition) of what love looks like. I think we can run our attitudes against it and recognize if we have behaved in a loving manner. My main point is to say, no one can keep this list perfectly, so everytime someone has offended us, maybe we should take a look at ourselves and see how we may have contributed to the unlovely interchange…
Paul does exhort the Thessalonians to “excel still more” in loving one another…1Thess. 4:9-10.
April 29, 2008 at 4:23 pm
I agree with you above Michelle. The Love List is a good sounding board to check back with. And often a better place to start maybe before you might encounter a not so pleasant situation with another.
And WOW – did you all have a great time yesterday or what??!?!?!
Now THAT was love!!!
Complete strangers sharpening another, letting down our “guard”, sharing fellowship.
This was a blast to read through!
Morning Beautiful! (that’s you Michelle
April 29, 2008 at 5:16 pm
You are too kind, Tam. I’ve seen your whole face…and bits of your heart…you’re the beautiful one!
It was great fun last night – only wish the world were smaller and we could all sit around in a nice comfy lodge, in front of a fireplace, with plenty of fresh, hot coffee and share!!! Heaven will be awesome…
April 29, 2008 at 5:29 pm
YES it will!!! I’m looking more and more forward to Heaven with each passing day!
April 29, 2008 at 9:18 pm
This is a beautiful post Michelle….My love of life and I will be celebrating 13 years next month…..wonderful….I consider him my first and last….everything before him, well….I just can’t remember…
Thank you for sharing your wisdom on my blog….and yes, you are beautiful girl!!!!
April 29, 2008 at 9:24 pm
see! beauty. you ooze it!
hows that for a tasteful descriptive?
April 29, 2008 at 10:44 pm
OK I’m
oozing it?? Lovely…
Debs – I love all the meat you keep serving up – Thanks!!
Tam – Thanks for all the fun – EVERYDAY – how do you do it? I know, you’re just too
April 29, 2008 at 11:51 pm
I’m not cool really. ok. maybe a little. definitely humble.
Ya know. I’m actually a deep person too. I’ve lived on both sides of the extreme. I think God has given me the ability to see good and humor in things. I want to share that with others. I love making people smile. Smiles and laughter unite. I’ve always felt that with people I can sit and laugh with, I will listen to and get deep with as well. It draws me in. I feel safe.
Humor and light heartedness has opened many doors for ministering opportunities. Many ongoing where healing is taking place.
There is a time for everything. I am finally learning that. I am becoming more and more comfortable in my skin and how God has made me.
One Body – Many Parts. Each doing our part!
April 29, 2008 at 11:52 pm
Good Grief!
“heartedness” isn’t a word????
April 30, 2008 at 12:24 am
You are deep, Tam, I enjoy your insights and your light heartedness…I looked it up, it is definitely a word.
You use humor the way my husband does and it certainly does draw people in. He has a very deep side as well, I just like to give him a hard time. I’m not nearly as pessimistic as I was in my youth – PTL! I’m very glad we all are a part of the same body.
Have you ever done a study on temperaments? I see you as a Sanguine/Melancholy…only the melancholy part because of your artsy side, not at all in the depressing sense, but definitely sanguine, being the life of the party and loads of fun. I’m a Melancholy/Choleric which can be quite depressive and demanding…perfectionistic. Not at all an easy personality to deal with.
The Spirit-Controlled Temperament helps to explain much of the thinking…and the whole point of trying to understand myself better is to recognize when my weaknesses surface, when the evil one is shooting fiery darts at my buttons, so I can pray specifically and gain self-control. Someone with your positive, humorous outlook on life probably does not struggle as much with self-esteem issues or seeing the fun in life – it’s awesome and an outlook I covet (don’t tell Love).
See…
Heart´ed`ness
n. 1. Earnestness; sincerity; heartiness.
One Body – Many Parts!!!
April 30, 2008 at 5:00 am
Mandy, none of us sleep around here.
haha!!
Miiiiiicheeeeeelle! How are ya lady?
Wish I could chit chat tonight but I actually have to sleep tonight….. so MANDY..I guess we do sleep, sometimes.
And yes, I agree with Tam, you ooze. Big time.
April 30, 2008 at 5:36 am
Rest UP Bran! – we need more sleep than we get – Mothers doubly so!
Spirit-Controlled Temperament – i LOVE thatn Michelle!
it is an invaluable Goal and i believe one we can all attain if we learn how to build up the Spiritual Body within us (Letting Jesus take the reins there!)
I agree that I Cor 13 describes His Love (Charity!) but i don’t agree it is impossible for humans to adopt ( What would Mandy know – she’s so young!)
– it is the ‘Reason’ we are all alive – however each one of us, in growing our body and mind, have made this ’cause’ very difficult to be all that is in us today – in that sense it is so not ‘human’ – the humans we all were and some still are, perhaps only in part?
We ALL Have that Love inside each and every one of us – it is more a matter of throwing away the dross we built up around it!
Michelle…’But COVET earnestly the best gifts: and yet show I unto you a more excellent way’. I Cor 12:31
You don’t think you can hide anything from love do you???
Love ALways Finds a Way!
And Both You and Tam are more beautiful than you know – just don’t go geting big headed about it
Keep Oozing!
<B
April 30, 2008 at 7:34 pm
I had to give it up early last night – too many late nights in a row…
Glad you got your sleep, Bran, although reading Tam’s blog tells me you didn’t go straight to bed.
Yes, Love, Mandy’s young, should we be talking about her when she’s not here?
I DO get to covet love…that’s good…and to know we OWE everyone the debt of love is another way of looking at this very high call.
April 30, 2008 at 7:47 pm
I think Mandy would love to know we thought of her when she wasn’t here. haha
Michelle, you caught me. I never seem to go STRAIGHT anywhere when I am on this thing. haha!
I feel great today though. I went to bed around 12:30….stinkin’ Owen and his jolly self, he wasn’t tired AT ALL…. and I got up at 6:45 but I feel great. I wonder if I was sleeping too late?????
hmmm…..
====
I often feel the “high call” of Love when I least want to feel it, know what I mean? When I am feeling angry or hateful or just irritated, somehow God always brings me back to “I LOVE THEM” so that means I should too huh?
April 30, 2008 at 8:05 pm
“Yes, Love, Mandy’s young, should we be talking about her when she’s not here?”
yes
April 30, 2008 at 8:10 pm
I’m glad to hear you’re feeling great – I don’t know how anyone does it on just six hours, especially with three little boys!!
Seeing other people through God’s eyes…kinda brings me up short sometimes. With three teenagers I’m getting lots of practice these days…just wait, Bran, you’ll be dealing with it in about 12 short years. Enjoy every minute of your little “stinkers” b/c before you know it they get real smelly and you just have to hold your nose and keep loving!!
April 30, 2008 at 8:11 pm
I had a feeling you would say “yes” to that one!!