September 12, 2014

[for the lovers]

The woman who lovingly sprinkles grapes on her husband's Chipotle salad to make sure he gets his fruit intake for the day. (And yes, this truly just happened - you can surely believe I chuckled with delight.)

The wide open arms spread nearly a mile apart, preparing to engulf the best friend who just arrived at the Dulles Airport.. shortly followed by shrieks - a multitude of shrieks - of pure joy.

The couple across from you on the bus, fingers interlaced and eyes locked, staring at one another as if they were the only other person in a world of over 7 billion.

Words from a family who loves and cherishes every single part of you before leaving for a vacation thousands of miles away. The prayers and heart felt good wishes received, joy beaming on the face of the traveler - the radiation seen and felt by all who come close.

Sometimes, on a day like today, amidst the painful memories of the hate that led to a terrorist attack, or the current ongoing stories of 'religious' movements attempting to wipe out a certain people group.. it can seem like this place is devoid of love.

It's easy to get sucked into thinking this way.

To get caught up in asking the "Why?"s. To let disgust consume us. To believe that love is merely lingering around for a short time before it completely vanishes from the earth, leaving us with nothing but contempt & wars.

No matter how terrible or discomforting our current world may seem, you and I both know that love is still out there, actively winning over every single ounce of the souls of those it touches, illuminating the hearts & minds of those who cannot merely keep it to themselves - they must show it to others.

Freely you have received; freely you give.

Let's elaborate on the love in our life stories. Expand it, encouraging everyone to feel it from their heart, outwardly displaying it through the sprinkling of grapes, the hugging & shrieking, the hand holding & eye locking, the words of encouragement.

Let's fight anything that is against it by stripping the world of its hate. Its emptiness. 

And in turn.. let's show it love. And by showing love, we can be sure that we are slowly & simultaneously revealing life.

For the lovers:
(Side note: I unabashedly & wholeheartedly believe this title encompasses every single one of those 7 billion people mentioned earlier - call me a fool or a crazy enthusiast.. I'm okay with either.)

Just keep going.

It's going to be hard, and you're going to constantly get the urge to give up.

You can do it.

Cling to the joy that Jesus Christ has freely given to you. Celebrate the little acts of love you see. Pray for those who try to steal your joy. Love on them, too. Focus on the good. And when things become completely unbearable..

Remember: the best is yet to come, my dear friend.

For [She] was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.

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