Journal Entry, July 31, 2019

Next time a defeat makes you humble, or a regret pushes you to start over, just kneel in prayer. Stop worrying and listen as God whispers, “Do you realize it? I let it happen to mold you.”

Next time a sunset calms you, or a mountain top view leaves you speechless, remain that way. Say nothing and listen as God whispers, “Do you like it? I created it for you.”

Next time a loved one’s hug comforts you, or a help from a stranger saves your day, savor the moment. Quit thinking and listen as God whispers, “Do you feel it? I sent my love to you.”

Journal Entry, July 23, 2019

“To love someone also means to embrace a whole lot of things that aren’t lovable.

• It means enduring long lines at the terminal and being stuck in traffic, for you to be with the person you love.

• It means setting aside personal leisures, for you to learn, value, and enjoy the leisures of the person you love.

• It means working really hard to earn and save, for you to purposefully build the dream in your hearts.

• It means giving up vices and incredibly delicious yet unhealthy food as you encourage yourself to value your health, for you to enjoy living long years with your loved ones.

• It means being patient, apologizing, and forgiving as you ride the roller coaster of valuable relationships.

Deciding to love someone, and everything that goes with it, gives us endurance. We have a realistic understanding that life is messy and unpredictable because we have fallible humans involved, so we prepare ourselves for commitment. We commit to do our best, to give them the best, and to be the best versions of ourselves.”

Journal Entry, July 8, 2019

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, PATIENCE, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control..” (Galatians 5:22-23 ESV)

For me, next to love, patience is most important. Here are some of my learnings.

PATIENCE…
• Enables me to pay attention.
• Enables me to commit to success – to get there slowly but surely.
• Teaches me the value of gentleness in dealing with time.
• Teaches me to appreciate my and others’ efforts.
• Shows me how relationships can be transformed.
• Shows me how things get clearer with time.
• Helps me understand that not everyone nor everything run on my schedule.
• Helps me to stay calm instead of stressing myself out with a behavior that does me (and everyone around me!) no good.

Journal Entry, July 6, 2019

Today’s self-reminder: PRESS ON – even when it’s hard.

• Be grateful even when I don’t get what I pray for.
• Lift my hands in prayer even when all I want to do is give up.
• Sing songs of praise even when all I want to do is cry.
• Write prayer poems that glorify Him even when I’m in the midst of pain.
• Trust Him more through seasons of loss even when I hear the sound of my heart breaking.
• Praise Him more during days when my MS is so bad that I tearfully reminisce the days when I was more alive.

Because the Scripture says,
“Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love Him.” (James 1:12)

Journal Entry, July 3, 2019

It’s tough to imagine how to deal with a world where love depreciates because of broken promises, fears, and condemnations.

If you’re in a world where people promise, then go and break their honor, be mindful of a love that will not fail you – a love that is decent, steadfast, and truthful.

If you’re in a world where people are afraid to be free from a broken society of cheap love, unkept promises, and betrayed trust, be mindful of a love that is able to uphold you – a love that rescues, comforts, and dignifies.

If you’re in a world where people who make mistakes are condemned, be mindful of a love that offers restoration – a love that forgives, corrects, and blesses.

Journal Entry, July 2, 2019

Sometimes you love someone unconditionally.
You don’t care about what anyone says, or about how the other feels about himself, or about how far that person is from the popular ideal.
Your love isn’t limited in any way.

And also sometimes you love someone considerately.
You care about what people say, and about how the other feels about himself, and about the stand of that person in the popular ideal.
Your love is thoughtful of the person’s rights and feelings.

Either way, you love. But it’s best to challenge yourself to offer a love that is both unconditional and considerate: a love that is patient, and kind; a love that does not boast, and is not proud, nor rude, nor seeking one’s own benefit, nor is easily angered, nor is a keeper of a record of wrongs.