No Fear in Love

Two things that are spoke of most in the Bible is Love and Fear.  They are completely opposite to one another yet we wrestle with these the most.

Fear. 

That four letter word that can crush a dream, hinder a relationship or stop you dead in your tracks. So frustrating, yet we all have something we fear. I know for me I tend to pretend I do not have fear, but as soon as I start making excuses about something, I realize, it's that comfortable fear once again.

One of my favorite quotes comes from “philosopher” Will Smith and is found in his movie After Earth. In this film Smith is teaching his son a very important ideal that will help him overcome any kind of obstacle. He says

If we are going to survive this, you need to remember, fear is not real. It is a product of the thoughts you create. Now do not misunderstand me; danger is very real. But fear ris a choice.

Danger is real, but fear is a choice.

Wonder why it's so comfortable to choose fear every.single.time?

Love.

Ah, something we all desire in the depths of our soul; to be loved. Loved in a way that makes you want to grit your teeth, or listen to Journey’s “don’t stop believing” all day long. 

What a beautiful feeling to be loved! 

But what in the world does that mean? 

Our English language sells us short on great verbiage. We have the same word for: the affection of a hot dog and a Mother toward her child; 

the same word describing the affection of a coworker and a passionate teenaged relationship. 

Love is so hard to define. 

In my opinion (if you’re asking) I think the word LOVE is the most over used word, yet the most desired one in our dialectal. Hearing the words “I love you” can melt a heart, turn a rebellion, start a fight or cause a tear. Amazing how powerful this –Love- is. 

FEAR and LOVE

So different yet so much the same.

Both a choice.

Both a passion.

Both stubborn.

One is desired. One is despised.

What to do?

John writes exclaiming how you cannot have both (fully) at the same time. In 1 John 4:18 he writes:

"There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love."

The two are merged. Real love will get rid of fear. I think I know why.

When you are in a relationship that is 100% unconditional and NOTHING you say or do will take away that love, you have an indescribable security.

You may have a fear of failing so you don't try. But if you had a confidence that the someone that loves you will love you if you fail or not, that nullifies fear. 

When you are living life in love (real kind of love) then there is no room for fear!

The love that this scripture is talking about is God 's love.  The man who created the heavens, the earth, the sun, moon and stars is crazy in love with you! 

He would do anything to be with you! He has done everything to be with you! 

It comes down to a choice. 

He loves you so much that, although He is your creator, He gave YOU the choice to love Him.

So, beloved, what do you choose? To live in Fear or to live in His Love?

Coloring God's Word

Life is busy.  Crazy busy.  Thank God for iCal so we can sync sports, Bible study, school stuff, church activities, singing stuff, and reminders when Library books are due.

We are THE busiest women who have ever walked the planet.  Not necessarily milking the cows or churning the butter- but the overload of INFORMATION.  Our BRAINS are on the go 100% of the time.  Even when we lay down the wheels are spinning over the current grocery list, pinterest ideas and political upheaval. It's absolutely exhausting.

And what about spending time with God?

As ultimate sports mom, writer, business owner, wife, sister, daughter, church member--I find it almost impossible to spend quality time with God! (Anyone else?)

Really?! The ONE thing I need the most gets pushed to the back burner.   Gah!

When I did make the time to dive in His Word I found myself refreshed, renewed and fueled to face the massive information overload! BUT- I'm not a scholar- sit and study is not my thing....

BUT COLORING IS!

I started writing out God's Word that pierced my heart and washed over my soul.  I started coloring those words and realized that when I did --I found a small peace!  I couldn't think of crazy schedules, couldn't worry about finances or struggle with what I'm not.

Sitting still is Tough!  But God tells us to!  "BE STILL AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD! I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in all the earth" Psalm 46:10   I think God is wanting us to TURN OFF the noise and focus on Him!  What better way to BE STILL than getting a sharp colored pencil and stay in the lines!

"and if children, then heirs--heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him." Romans 8:17

It's amazing!  We are HIS Heirs!  He is our Father- our ABBA DADDY!  Of course He wants us to spend time with Him!    What is holding you back from reading His word?  He has something to tell you-- you are His Child

W

\Wonder where to start?  How about the beginning!
Break down the days of Creation in Genesis 1.  Let your creative juices flow and WHO cares if it looks like a kindergartener did it! You will be soaking in GOD's Word!

 So while I doodled through GOD's WORD I decided to compile some of my favorites together so YOU can too color God's Word!  Fun thing about this book is that the proceeds go to my sister's adoption! grinnlife.blogspot.com  Feel free to buy from the link below, from amazon or from me!  AND SPEND TIME COLORING GOD'S Word! Order here

 Let me end by saying this-- no matter if you don't color, doodle, journal or whatever--- GOD is still with you! He will ALWAYS be with you. In fact He will never leave you or forsake you!  It's a promise Beloved, He loves you- unconditionally.  Yes, He wants to spend intimate, undivided time with you, but KNOWS you and FORGIVES you when you don't!  He is here- right now waiting!  My prayer is that you make the time to open His Words to you!  It's worth it!

-The Other Woman--

As a young lady I dreamt of the day I would be a bride.  The handsome young prince standing at the end of the isle waiting to sweep me in his arms and live happily ever after.

Thanks to Disney, I'm sure most little girls have that dream.

Only thing is, we stop there. The wedding is only the first square of an entire toilet paper roll. No matter how that fancy goes, you are MARRIED----Stuck by a holy covenant to ONE person.

We spent more time picking flowers and tasting cake then we did discussing our parenting philosophy or even how many kids we want to have! The fantasy of the blissful day completely over shadowed a life long partnership that we probably should have been investigating.

I am blessed to say I had an amazing wedding day. Like a storybook princess I got my prince....and likewise we are living happily ever after. Here's why:

The other woman.

This other woman loved my prince more than I did. She knew him more than he knew himself. She wanted his happiness more than she wanted her own needs being met. She held her opinions to herself,  watched as I came in and stole him from her and never said a word against me.

Her concern was for HIS heart only and encouraged him to follow it as --hers was breaking.

My Mother in Law is a beautiful soul, and here is how I know.

I will one day have a Daughter in love. I will one day push my little bird out of the nest to watch another swoop him up and care for him. (Oh geez...here I go again) I will one day not be "number one woman" in his life....

But that's ok.

My mother in law gave me the biggest gift I could ever receive, and yet it has taken me nearly 17 years to realize. And one day I will have the opportunity to give that gift.

She gave me the gift of a loving husband.

She taught my man how to serve; how to unconditionally love, how to bend to his strong-willed wife and she gave me-- him.

I never said thank you.

As she lies in a hospital bed fighting for her life, regrets swell over me. Why did I think there was competition? Why would I ever be concerned that we have Christmas at her house!? Why didn't I see so much earlier what a sacrificial gift she had given me.

And why didn't I thank her?

My husband is a beautiful man and I pray one day my son can be half that! He has taught me true integrity, faithfulness, and legit kindness. I blame the other woman. (thank God for her!)

So as a tribute to that other woman, I strive to be the best "other woman" to my son's wife.

Golly Heidi, he's only 14! I know I know, but my desire for him to be cherished, godly, full of joy, and on fire for Jesus trumps his age! Even now (and for several years) I have prayed for her. I have prayed God protect her, draw her near to Him, guide her and prepare her to love my son more than I can (Truly a tall order).

So for all the other women out there--Thank you!

Thank you for taking the sideline for the benefit of your son! Thank you for loving him before we even knew him. AND thank you for building up a man that will fill the hole in our hearts!

Thank you,

The other 'other' woman :)