I read that somewhere once, and I believe that it is true. Love is patient, willing to wait. Love is kind, thoughtful, always looking to the needs of others before its own.
...Can anyone truly possess this kind of love?
Only when I spend more time in the Soul-Mirror of God's Word than in the Face-Mirror of my own insecurities will I be confident enough to love others. Tough enough to love them.
I see a weak woman, who needs to be stronger and tougher while also being more gentle and caring; a girl who has so much to learn and so far to go. I see a girl needing grace, a woman trying to discern her path.
My promise is Deuteronomy 33:12, and I can walk in confidence because of it. But sometimes, I forget. And I look up and see other people and other standards and I forget that Perfect Love sees me and that's how I am to see the rest of the world.
Sometimes I joke about having no filter, but it's really true. Some things just come out of my mouth, and it's too late. And "No Filter" is especially true of my thoughts: sometimes I wish for cheesecloth to strain from my brain each thing I think that I'd be ashamed of if anyone saw.
BUT, HE sees... He sees, and loves me anyway.
That's Love.
So Many Paths.
Which and when and how are we to choose?
What do you decide, though, when people are either silent or deafeningly loud?
What do you decide when you don't even have the clear vision? I want to make a Light-giving Stained Glass picture with my life, to let in the Gospel Light and Story.
But my hand shakes when I try to paint.
And my eyes wonder to others' paintings, and I wonder: Can't I stay safely her, with everyone else? Must I go on, alone, to the next frame in the story?
Because Jesus is my only Constant.
My True Love,
My Heartbeat,
My Morning Song
and Night-Time Comforter.
He's the Master-Painter, and when He firmly and gently guides my hand, it no longer shakes.
He's the Head Guide, and when He goes before me, I can't take my eyes off of Him.
Lord, grant me grace for this path. It might hurt more than I can bear, but if You bear it with me, I can do it. I will do it: for You. You are my God. Forever. Thank You for the Joy-filled Journey.