For the LOVE

       In a world where social media consumes our spare moments, we have hundreds of friends, but few people who truly know us. Most people would rather portray their lives as perfect, than let people into the mess. As lovely as it is for me to know what you ate today for lunch... and as much as I admire how pretty you look posed on that mountain, looking all adventurous with your hip popped and your duck face on point... I fear we are missing something invaluable. Authenticity.

       I have spent most of my life seeking love, affirmation and acceptance from others. The ironic thing is that I was putting on my best face, I never let anyone see the worst parts of me, I was always striving to be the most appealing version of myself to receive love... but receiving love for being the best and brightest version of myself left me feeling empty and alone when I failed or was wrestling through sadness, darkness and disappointments.

      In the last two years I have learned a lot about love. I chose to, reluctantly at times, let my guard down and to be open and vulnerable about the mess. I let some of my people see my worst and not just my best. I thought it would put people off of being in my life and extending love to me, but it did quite the opposite. Authenticity bred authenticity. When you find people that love you in your darkest moments, you will never settle for any other kind of people. Love always hopes, always trusts, always perseveres, love never fails. Love doesn't leave when you aren't at your best, and love doesn't just join you on the floor when your at your worst, love comes alongside and guides you to something better. It points you to Jesus, the author and perfecter of miraculous love, faithful love, true love.


      We are saturated in a culture that bombards us with the idea that true love is full of passion and promises of happily ever after - while real life and real love is hard work, full of mistakes, fights and lots of forgiveness in between all the bright and beautiful spots. Our culture promises a love that will complete you, while God promises a love that is complete. The most loving thing that my husband can ever do for me in every season and circumstance is to remind me of who I am in God -  Completely and wholly loved by Him no matter where I'm at, how I feel, what I've done.... I am fully known, and still deeply loved. No pretense, no pretending to be perfect, no questions asked... at my absolute worst, I am unconditionally and perfectly loved by God. When I do wrap my head around that truth, it enables me to point others to the same place and to love others freely with a love that flows in miraculous ways from the source itself, Jesus.  When I walk in the truth that I am fully loved and known in that way, I think less about myself and love others in a greater capacity.

     This last year love has looked different to me. Looking back, the dark moments were the ones where I experienced the deepest and most faithful kind of love. God has been good to me and given me people that are committed to me, and are always pointing me to Jesus. I know that today is about mushy love, but today our family is celebrating the kind of love that has changed our lives forever. The love of faithful friends.

     If you don't have that kind of friend, you aren't alone, reach out and start being that friend. Have a glow stick dance party, go out to coffee and over share your heart out, love on someone else's kids like they are your very own, have game nights, have family movie nights, get matching tattoos, have sleep overs, let people see you cry, let people see your mess, let people carry your burdens and return the favor for them, share your hopes and fears, be vulnerable, be real, laugh until your gut hurts, 'til tears stream down your face - or 'til you pee your pants, let people speak truth over you - even if it's hard to hear, do life together, do church together, do meals with the people you love, and invite other people in.... the world needs to see intentional, beautiful, authentic love. 

      On this day, I am thankful. Thankful for the people that let God's great love overflow and pour out in my life. I'm thankful they let me return the favor. I'm thankful that my people are brave enough to love in a vulnerable and real way that lets me know I'm not the only broken person in the world. We are all broken, and better together.

      Know how deeply you are loved and pursued by King Jesus and let that love overflow into the lives of whoever the Lord puts right in front of your face, and watch how that kind of intentional and selfless love can change your whole entire world.... and beyond. Authenticity is contagious and  intentional love changes everything.