in love.

As promised, I want to let you know I see the Lord moving.  Sometimes that’s just in my own life.  While I was praying today, I reflected on God’s unfailingly strong love. Here are a few of my thoughts as I approached the throne of grace:

I remember that feeling of being in love, the feeling that no mundane task could cloud my disposition because there was a hope of love.  A hope of something bigger than the monotony of daily living.  A hope that couldn’t be thwarted because somewhere there was someone who loved me, who romanced me both in and out of his presence.  And I loved him too.  It’s pretty miraculous, when you thing about the way that two beings intermingle in the mutual affection of romance.  If human love, broken and immature, can be this amazing–I can’t even imagine what the love of God is like.  Let me be moved and lifted up by your love. Teach me how to love you, how to let my innermost being intermingle with yours in the mysterious light of the most intimate of loves.  Teach me to dance with you.

Once upon a time, when I experienced human romance, life had this vibrant color to it that I haven’t experience before or since. What if the divine romance is grander, deeper, filled with life and color that we can’t even imagine?

Human romance, who needs it?  Divine romance–let me know that love.

on dating:

This is an interesting perspective that I read today.  Its directed at women who are considering dating or marriage in general.  I consider myself to a be  a part of its intended audience.  Suzanne Hadley (a writer for Focus on the Family’s Boundless webzine for young adults) writes this to single women:

If you can’t picture yourself married within a year, you’re not in a position to date.

Now, that’s serious.  Her point is that women and men dilly-dally around with recreational dating and dating for “practice.”  We are so guilty of doing so, that we have made it very difficult to pursue Godly marriage in our early 20s.  Its so culturally radical for a 21-year-old to ”date with the intention of marriage” (yes, even in Christian communities!).

I used to think that I dated with that intention.  But really, I was in no position to marry.  Weird that now that I do fall into the category of seeing myself “married in a year” there are no prospects.  Single is good for me now, but I would like to be married in a year (can I be frank without sounding desperate?).  I think I agree with Suzanne, though it sounds extreme.  Dating isn’t really Biblical at all.  I mean, there’s no verse that reads “Thou shalt not date until ready for marriage” but it can really be harmful to men and women who have surrendered themselves to the Lord’s will and then can’t find a marriage partner because all of their Christian peers are “test driving” their girlfriends and boyfriends (so to speak).

DISCLAIMER:  I don’t mean to say that everyone should just get married to whomever they’re dating.  Nor do I mean that we should marry a bf/gf because he or she is just “acceptable.”  Be madly in love with the one you marry! Enter marriage with the blessing of the Holy Spirit.  Marriage should not be taken lightly, so why do we take dating so lightly? I just mean that we should cut the crap with dating. If you’re in love and in a position to tie the knot, what is holding you back?  What are you gaining from waiting around? Girls, check out more by clicking here.  Also, this page is the equivalent for guys.

What do you think about Suzanne’s statement?  Do you agree?  Why or why not?  Am I crazy to think she’s right?  I would love to hear from you.

irony?

I got my beautiful periwinkle bridesmaid dress in the mail this weekend.  I was thrilled!  After just a wee bit of alteration, it will make a fabulous dress in which I can support my dear Lyse as she walks down the aisle.  Really though, I was so so excited when the dress came.  I was just about to leave the hose to go to a babysitting job (leaving about 2 minutes late, as usual) when Lance knocked on my door.  I threw on the rest of my clothes and answered.  In his hands he had the box.  I knew exactly what was in it.  I took the box to the kitchen, cut it open as quickly (and carefully!) as I could.  I then ran back to my room to try it on, all the while knowing I was growing later by the second to nanny my sweet Cassius and Jaydn.

The color is perfect, accenting both fair and golden complexions, much to my delight. Admiring myself in the mirror, I imagined how wonderful it would look as soon as it fits me properly.  After a moment, I quickly threw back on my coral t-shirt and tattered jeans and dashed out the door.  When I returned home that evening, I found the most curious sight.  The box in which the dress came had its back facing my bedroom door as I entered.  Here’s what I saw:

The wheels in my head starting turning.  Did this box know me or something?  It was as if it was proclaiming my identity to me as I waltzed through the door.  My beautiful bridesmaid dress, used to aid my friend bid a goodbye to her singleness, was screaming at me in irony.  Here’s a close-up of the box (enjoy):

Thanks for the reminder, box.