February 14: Happy Valentine’s Day! Make Love Your Strategy

Affirmation: Asking for help is a gift to myself and others.

Let those around you know you love them and care about them. Let them help you, too.
~~~~~~~
Ponder, Personalize and Practice: Begin to build the habit of reminding yourself who God is: the One who is with you when you’re fearful. He is your God when you are alarmed or shaken. Picture God standing with you.


”So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.“‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭41‬:‭10‬ ‭NIV‬‬

https://bible.com/bible/111/isa.41.10.NIV

~~~~~~~
Catching Whimsy: 365 Days of Possibility by Bob Goff 

                       Feb 14

Make Love Your Strategy


February 14Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 1John 4:7
I haven’t found one thing in the scriptures that directly addressed dating. Isn’t that strange, given there’s no more common thing that intersects our lives with joy and butterflies and anticipation? Dating can be a complicated push and pull where we feel drawn to someone and curious about them, but at the same time terrified, not knowing where things are leading. We shuffle our feet a few relational inches closer to a person and see if they are reciprocate by shuffling theirs, closer toward us or farther away.

As soon as Sweet Maria walked into the room when I was in law school, I was smitten, and within minutes, I was picking out names for our kids. Because she was in the same room, I suppose I just figured we were dating. I went over the top on Valentine’s Day with an 8 foot tall card with 1 ft  square stamp I had made. It turns out this was way too much, way too fast, and Sweet Maria initiated the “let’s be friends” discussion.
I wanted to be respectful, but had a much deeper relationship in mind. Without considering how over-the-top this would be, once again, I showed up on Maria’s doorstep with all the materials to make a teddy bear. My motives were noble. I wanted her to like me, I wanted to do something together, and I wanted it to be something that would make a great story later. This was my version of dating, and it involved big, grand, over the top expression of affection and near restraining-order-level pursuit.

Sure, love can sometimes be this way, but it doesn’t always have to look grand. If we simply bring our authenticity to every new and exciting relationship we have, we will know we are walking in the same love Jesus pursues with us.

Keep bringing the most authentic version of who you are to all your relationships. This is the grandest of all gestures you could ever make and the greatest gift you could ever give to the people you love. 
Make love your strategy. And don’t forget to bring along a little whimsy!

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

July 20: MOST OF OUR DECISIONS ARE DRIVEN BY EITHER LOVE OR FEAR.

Affirmation: I am compassionate. I care about myself and others. (Repeat 10x) “When he had gone indoors, the blind men came to him, and he asked them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” “Yes, Lord,” they replied.” (Matthew 9:27-31) Our compassion seems to be tied to belief in the Lord. Do you believe He is able to do this? Even more importantly, do you believe the Lord has compassion for YOU? ~~~~~~~ Ponder: Memorize Psalm 25:4-6. Make this your prayer today. This is a prayer for everyone to personalize and practice at any and every moment as you seek to live your best life. Pray this prayer at least 10 times today. “Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. Remember Lord, your great mercy and love, for they are from days of old.  Psalm  25 :4-6 ~~~~~~~ Reading for Today Walk in Grace. Live in Love. by Bob Goff                ...
Read more

August 22 Sailboat without a Sail…

Affirmation: I am grateful for this body, mind & soul. God made me. I have had times in my life that I questioned God’s existence, His goodness, His love. But my questions never changed the reality of His love for me and it won’t change the reality on your life either. He created you in your mother’s womb. He loves you intensely. ~~~~~~ Ponder, Personalize, Practice: There are many promises in these verses… -the Lord will always guide you -He will satisfy your needs -& strengthen your frame -You will be like a well-watered garden - ruins will be rebuilt -God will you use to repair broken walls & restore streets. Spend time pondering on this these verses. “The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the age-old foundations; you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, ...
Read more

January 28: Keep Showing Up; You’re The Only You There Is

Affirmation: I am imperfect and I am enough. ~~~~~~~ Ponder and Personalize :  The book of Joshua was written after Moses died and Joshua is left to lead the Israelites into the promised land. God has freed them from slavery in Egypt.  “Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, …” What significance does the Book of Law have? Why was it important to meditate on it day and night? Talk to God about this directive and how it might impact you. Joshua 1:8-9 “ Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night , so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” ~~~~~~~ Catching Whimsy: 365 Days of Possibility.  By Bob Goff                        Jan ...
Read more