Unloved no longer....

“I’ll call nobodies and make them somebodies; I’ll call the
unloved and make them beloved.” (Rom. 9:25 MSG)

During this spiritual journey I've been on, God has plopped some pretty awesome things down in front of me. Things I didn't know existed. Things I didn't know to be true. He has really opened up my world...all because I opened up mine to Him.

That's the key, you know. Stepping out in faith and being open to what God wants to show you. I truly believe that you need to be careful what you pray for though. I mean CAREFUL. If you ask for forgiveness in your heart for something someone has done to you, He'll give that to you but you can't then say you aren't ready for it or don't want it. It just doesn't work that way.

I asked for God to show me LOVE. What it really is. What it means. How to receive it and give it and....what the heck to do with it when you get it. I'll admit it. I have no idea how to be in a relationship or truly love someone in a positive, meaningful way (and I'm not talking about as a parent....just talking about in an adult relationship). I had no good role models for this growing up. I've seen and been a part of things as a child and, honestly, as an adult that just aren't ok and normal. But when I prayed for God to show me love, He showed me. Plopped it right down in front of my face.

I've learned that to love someone else you have to TRULY love yourself first. I'm not talking about being IN LOVE with yourself. That just leads to a sinful heart and opens you up to destruction. I'm talking about loving yourself as God does. Seeing in you what God sees. Believing in yourself the way God believes in you. When you get that tank filled up with God's love, it will flow out of you without any effort on your part. Sure....relationships take work, but it sure is a lot easier to give something if you have it available to you first.

God has emptied my heart and filled it back up again. He has showed me the hurt, heartache, pain that comes from unhealthy relationships and has filled me up and is preparing me for a healthy one. One that means seeking Him first. One that is His will and gives Him glory. God is paving the way for me to give what He has given me. My light will shine for Him sure enough.

I found on Max Lucado's website the following. It's a pretty cool way to remember who we are WITH Christ. Insert your name in the blanks. This is a great place to start and a great place to come back to when learning about the love God has for us, gives us and expects us to overflow to those around us. If you are struggling....and even if you are not....use this below to remind you of the gift that we are given everyday.

Christ in _____ is patient, Christ in _____ is kind. Christ in _____ does not envy, Christ in _____ does not boast, Christ in _____ is not proud. Christ in _____ is not rude, Christ in _____ is not self-seeking, Christ in _____ is not easily angered, Christ in _____ keeps no record of wrongs. Christ in _____ does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. Christ in _____ always protects, always perseveres. Christ in _____ never fails.

This is the LOVE that God has shown me I am capable of giving and I deserve to receive.

JC is my BFF!