A Perspective for V-Day

Valentine's day is here, and with it, many different perspectives. Maybe you're in a romantic relationship or have a specific someone in mind when you think of love. Or, maybe your single, and have been your whole life. Then again, maybe your someone who isn't currently in a relationship, but has been and love doesn't seem to be working out for you at the moment. Whoever you are, single or not, this post is for you.

I would like to share with you a list of truths for you to chew on as you celebrate this Valentine's Day. These aren't things I just came up with, these truths are wisdom I have been told by others.

1. Happiness is found in Christ alone.

I know this can possibly be hard to grasp, especially those of you who are still in the honey-moon stages of their relationship, but it is true. Nothing on this earth will ever satisfy you, and it is wrong to expect a boyfriend, girlfriend, or spouse to satisfy you. No matter how perfect your life can be, it will never satisfy you. Nothing but God will ever satisfy any of your longings. This is why it is so important to rest in Christ and to ground your happiness and joy in Him. He will give it to you, if you truly seek for it. 

2. God wants you living in the present.

I see way too many people getting too caught up in the future or even not being able to get over their pasts. Many singles want a relationship and dream about their future someone, while many married couples continue to dream about their retirement or wishing for a child of their own. Again, many singles dwell on their pasts, with hate in their hearts for their ex's, while the married couples look at their pasts, wishing they had that time back.

I understand, the past and future are both important, but not as important as the present. God put you HERE. You are not anywhere else. Focus on what you have before you to do. Love well, those people that are with you to love. Learn from your pasts and move on with your lives. Look to the future with hope and dreams and live well where you are now with the future in mind.

3. Find happiness where you are right now.

We know that God is the only source of happiness, and we know that we are to live in the present, but now we must also find happiness where we are. You see, the thing is, if you can't be happy where you are now, you will never be happy wherever you wish to be. I can't stress this enough. God placed you here, wherever you may be. You may hate your life, or you may love it, but this is where you are right now. God has a reason for it too. Be happy with that! Seek to find the reason that you are where you are and live life well. Love, laugh, rejoice, weep, do all the things that are happening right now. Enjoy the little moments. Maybe nothing huge is going on in your life, but that doesn't mean God's goodness cannot be seen! Look around! Everywhere you look, God is present. Seek after God's Kingdom where you are right now.

For me personally, this means that I try to stop and look at the sky, which reminds me of God's creative handywork. It means that I try to realize those beautiful smiles of the people around me, which all make me think how thankful I am of them. It means that I try to put all of my hopes and dreams, worries or anxieties aside when someone is struggling, because that is what Christ does for me. It means that I try to stop and look around, and find things that I am thankful for, especially in great times of despair. It means that I try to focus on whatever is before me to do whenever my worries for the past or future start to pile up, trying to leave it at all the cross. It means that when I get a chance, I try to let those special people know that I love them.

I say "try" because I don't do these things well, but I am seeking to get better at them.

This all will look a little differently for each one of us, but the goal is all the same: to live life well for the Lord, which can only be done where you are right now.

To those married, dating, or engaged: Be thankful for where you are now, and how far you have come. Make an effort to love your partner so well that they could never second guess it, and don't expect them, anything else, or anyone else to satisfy you. Let God be the reason for all that you do.

To those single: Be thankful for where you are now, and how far you have come. Love well those people that you have the ability to show love to, and don't expect them or anything or anyone else to satisfy you. Let God be the reason for all that you do.

Therefore, be imitators of God as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.... Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.

Ephesians 5:1-2, 15-16

So Many Blessings

So much has happened in the last few months. Over and over again God has shown His sovereignty and steadfast love to me and my family. I can't help but be in awe of Him and how far He has brought us. Sure, we have had plenty of tough times, but God is always so good as to bring us to a time of rest again, and to work those hard times out for good. Here are just a few things that God has done recently:

Probably the greatest thing that has happened recently was Mercy's baptism! This last Sunday, January 22, 2023, Mercy made a public profession of her faith! How sweet it is to see my younger siblings following after the Lord. Especially my adopted siblings, who have been through so much in life. It is so sweet to watch Mercy joyfully be adopted into the family of God!

We celebrated my nephew, Luther's, 6 months! He is growing so fast! It feels like just yesterday when we were waiting for his birth. Now, he is trying sit up on his own, coo, and crawl! What a blessing he is to our family! He brings joy to every one of us.

Also, check out that cake! Allison made it, based off of The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolken!

God has been so good to me these few months. He's given me work for one of my neighbors as a full-time nanny. I've really enjoyed that, and also teaching the Wednesday nights children's program at my church. I'm doing lots and LOTS of horseback riding and working with my neighbor's horses, and about to do some work with some other friend's horses, Lord willing! God has blessed me so much with giving me great neighbors and the ability to get some experience with different horses, as I pursue a career in Equine Therapeutic Riding. I am also currently taking classes at a community college to be certified to be an Equine Vet Assistant! Again, I am placed in awe of God and His great mercy to me. Praise the Lord, for He supplies us with all that we need, and more! All for His glory!

I was also blessed with an amazing opportunity to serve at the Joni and Friends Winter Retreat in North Carolina, this last December! They have a great ministry going on there, ministering to families with special needs. I was paired with this sweet little girl, as pictured above. I had a lot of fun with her and her family, who were able to hear and see the gospel displayed that week through the ministry.

I think one other great blessing God has given me and my family is community. In the last three months, my family has drawn closer together than I think we ever have been. That's been such a blessing and has brought me joy to see. I don't know about the rest of my family, but I've had my eyes opened to the reality of time, or the lack of it. Those people I love won't always be there, and I won't always have the ability to let them know just how much they mean to me. So, I'm making an effort to make the most of the time I have. I am so thankful for my family.

Finally, I'd like to conclude this post with a passage:

Make a joyful noise to the Lord,

all the earth!

Serve the Lord with gladness!

Come into His presence with singing!

Know that the Lord, He is God!

It is He who has made us, and we are His;

we are His people, and the sheep of His pasture.

Enter His gates with thanksgiving,

and His courts with praise!

Give thanks to Him; bless His name!

For the Lord is good;

His steadfast love endures forever,

and His faithfulness to all generations.

Psalm 100