It's Saint Valentine's Day today. On my way to class early this morning I was reflecting on all the love I have received in the last 22 years. My parents have a beautiful marriage, and my siblings and I are products of their love. God has loved me into being, He has loved me through the rough homeschooling years when I was nothing but a terror for my poor mother, He has loved me when I was broken and alone and was by my side as I navigated the dreadful high school hallways, He loved me as I left home for the first time, He loved me through and despite every mistake, and He made me new again.
Between those 2 examples alone I have had more than enough fruitful and wholesome examples of love to look up to. I am thankful for that. Five years ago I fell in love for the first time. He too has loved me through many hard time, and has been with me as I grew into adulthood. He has seen me at my very best and he has seen me at my very worst, and still he loves me.
Love really is a gift. And, I realized this morning that I am so incredibly blessed by the love I receive from my parents, from God, from Troy, from my sisters and brothers and through my friends. And, I think I was, unknowingly, taking for granted that love. Until this morning.
I thought about the girls in my class (there is something like 38 students, and only 2 men...) on my way to the school this morning. Many have boyfriends, or friends with benefits... many have children and they are all preparing for careers that will require giving a whole lot of love.
But there is something else I have noticed. Many of them are barely 30, and have at least one child (which is beautiful), but of those who have children I would say probably only 2 of them are married. That is sad, but what saddens me even more is that most have them have been married. They are 30 years old (or younger), have a family and divorce papers. It's hard to keep an optimistic view of marriage in our world when this is becoming the norm.
So, what went wrong? It's hard to say, I guess. But, I have discovered that maybe it isn't so hard to pinpoint after all... love has become disposable. We are lending a hand in this divorce epidemic by presenting the view to the world that love isn't something that needs time or work. We cannot sugar-coat relationships or provide advice that consists of the sentence, "Maybe you have just fallen out of love with him." We need to be real, and honest. Love is a choice that is made in every moment of every day. And, love is impossible without God. Yes, impossible. I am not saying it's harder without God, or different without God. It is truly impossible without God IS love...without Him love cannot exist in our world. Not only is God the maker, creator and giver or love, but He is also the perfect example of love. He never gives up on us...and we are as imperfect as imperfect can get. We need to seek after His wisdom and example and enter every relationship in life with the understanding that romance is not present every moment of life, and we may have a crappy day or our friend, spouse, parent or sibling may treat us terribly sometimes (guarantee you treat them like crap sometimes too!) or you just may not feel in love. But love is more than a feeling...it's a choice and the result of it is more beautiful and miraculous than you could ever imagine.
Make sure people in your life know you love them today... even if you don't feel like it.
St. Valentine, please pray for us.
Emily xo
Showing posts with label Forgiveness. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Forgiveness. Show all posts
Friday, February 14, 2014
Saturday, November 30, 2013
Am I Lovable?
Earlier this month I posted a blog called, Am I Enough? I suppose you could consider this one a follow up to that.
Am I lovable?
This is something I am sure most of you feel faced with regularly, either consciously or unconsciously. I know it is for me. As I talked about in my previous post, it is often a battle in our hearts to feel that we are enough, that we have enough & that we do enough. Along with that comes the question of whether or not we are worthy of the things in life we do recieve, or if where we have been & what we have done are enough to destroy and otherwise bright & hopeful future.
The short answer is no. Nothing we have ever done or could ever do will be enough to make us unlovable.
However, that doesn't stop us from sometimes feeling unlovable. This can be in our relationships, in our families or with God. We get so caught up in how we have failed those around us and failed God that we deem ourselves unlovable. That's a dangerous trap, set by the devil.
The moment we see ourselves as unlovable we open ourselves up to be Satan's little workshop. We are now putty in the ends of the most evil, and he will exploit & ruin us. See, if we deem ourselves unlovable then he tempts us by saying, "You're right, no one can love you after where you've been & what you've done. There is no point is trying to heal those broken parts of you or fix those damaged places. Just give up."
That is the worst thing we can do. We cannot just give up on improving ourselves. We are human and we were made in God's image, therefore He will always love us. Always. We cannot understand that love because our hearts do not reach that capacity. With that in mind we have to remember that we are not perfect & that we sin. AND- we have to remember that since our hearts are not capable of great love like God's is we cannot rely on the love in human relationships to withstand every test. That is why we need God, because no human can love is like He does.
We are always, always lovable. But we cannot relay on our spouses, children, friends, parents, boyfriends or grandparents to reveal that to us. We need God.
Tomorrow is the first Sunday of Advent. As we prepare for our Saviour's birth ask Him to help prepare your heart & fix the broken parts. Ask Him to show you that you are loved.
Please know you are very lovable, despite your brokenness.
Emily xo
Am I lovable?
This is something I am sure most of you feel faced with regularly, either consciously or unconsciously. I know it is for me. As I talked about in my previous post, it is often a battle in our hearts to feel that we are enough, that we have enough & that we do enough. Along with that comes the question of whether or not we are worthy of the things in life we do recieve, or if where we have been & what we have done are enough to destroy and otherwise bright & hopeful future.
The short answer is no. Nothing we have ever done or could ever do will be enough to make us unlovable.
However, that doesn't stop us from sometimes feeling unlovable. This can be in our relationships, in our families or with God. We get so caught up in how we have failed those around us and failed God that we deem ourselves unlovable. That's a dangerous trap, set by the devil.
The moment we see ourselves as unlovable we open ourselves up to be Satan's little workshop. We are now putty in the ends of the most evil, and he will exploit & ruin us. See, if we deem ourselves unlovable then he tempts us by saying, "You're right, no one can love you after where you've been & what you've done. There is no point is trying to heal those broken parts of you or fix those damaged places. Just give up."
That is the worst thing we can do. We cannot just give up on improving ourselves. We are human and we were made in God's image, therefore He will always love us. Always. We cannot understand that love because our hearts do not reach that capacity. With that in mind we have to remember that we are not perfect & that we sin. AND- we have to remember that since our hearts are not capable of great love like God's is we cannot rely on the love in human relationships to withstand every test. That is why we need God, because no human can love is like He does.
We are always, always lovable. But we cannot relay on our spouses, children, friends, parents, boyfriends or grandparents to reveal that to us. We need God.
Tomorrow is the first Sunday of Advent. As we prepare for our Saviour's birth ask Him to help prepare your heart & fix the broken parts. Ask Him to show you that you are loved.
Please know you are very lovable, despite your brokenness.
Emily xo
Sunday, October 13, 2013
What do we have to be Thankful for?
Happy Thanksgiving weekend, Canada!
What are you thankful for?
and so, so much more!
May many blessing be poured upon you and your family as you count your blessings this Thanksgiving!
Emily xo
What are you thankful for?
and so, so much more!
May many blessing be poured upon you and your family as you count your blessings this Thanksgiving!
Emily xo
Monday, August 26, 2013
Catholic Canadian? Can I be Both?
I am a Canadian, and a Roman Catholic. I take pride in both of these facts, but have discovered that one, by far, outweighs the other when it comes to how I live my life & how I define myself. Sometimes I cannot be both a Canadian AND a Catholic.
What does it mean to be a Canadian Citizen?
According to the Canadian Government it means to have these values;
Equality, Respect for Cultural Differences, Freedom, Peace, Law & Order.
Does that not make this nation sound like some sort of Utopia? Yes, of course it does. That is why we are so multicultural (Google "what does it mean to be a Canadian"- you will find tons of articles headlining that we are multicultural).
Equality sounds lovely, doesn't it? In the Government article linked above it describes equality in this way;
We respect everyone's rights. Everyone has the right to speak out and express ideas that others might disagree with. Governments must treat everyone with equal dignity and respect- two other fundamental Canadian values.
Perfect? Well, maybe not. Here is the thing-everyone is not equal. They should be, but they are not. This nation has taken equality to mean that every person should have the rights to live as the wish, not as they should. And, as a Roman Catholic, I often disagree with how they go about this.
For example- I believe that homosexuality is spiritually immoral. I believe it to be sinful, detrimental to society, a mental illness/imbalance. I believe homosexuality is wrong. Always.
Now, I believe people who are homosexual deserve to be treated with the same dignity and respect as every other person on the planet, but I also believe that they are living lives of hardship, sin (if they are practicing their homosexuality), and lives that can, ultimately, destroy their souls.
I know it is my responsibility, as a Catholic, striving for Heaven, to help, guide, and encourage them on paths that will get them to Heaven (God willing). This means I still speak kind words, I still open doors for them. It means I visit with them and befriend them. It means I live my life in a way that exemplifies the teachings of the Catholic Church, in every aspect of my life. It means that I may never have to use words to tell them that the cross they've been given in life, like all our crosses, can lead them far from the gates of Heaven. It means my very life will, hopefully, be ministry enough to bring them home to our God.
As a Canadian, I am expected to smile & say, "good for them!" as Pride Parades sweep our nation every summer. It means I am not permitted to be uncomfortable by public displays of affection, involving two people of the same gender (even if I would be repulsed by the same display between a man & a woman). It means I cannot say that I believe homosexuality is a temptation, a cross, or a sin.
As a Canadian, I am expected to take the meaning of "equality" as everyone is the same, and others may live their lives as the wish- be it as homosexuals, pro-abortionist, those engaging in pre/post-marital sex...the list goes on.
As a Catholic, I believe everyone person is given crosses to bear in life. We struggle with different temptations for sin, and battle interior battles often. Homosexuality is one of those crosses. It is a temptation. I acknowledge that. I am always amazed when I hear stories of men & women who struggle with homosexuality, and are able to choose lives of chastity and purity. What a challenge that must be! See, homosexuals are called to lives of purity & chastity, the same as every other single person, dating, engaged and married couple are (here for more information). To not live in that way is a sin. No ifs, ands or buts.
As a Catholic I know that equality means treating everyone as my brother & sister, and loving them, despite their imperfections. I know it means encouraging & helping others out of their temptations for sin & into lives of fulfillment and faith. It means leaning on my brothers & sisters in Christ when I am weak & struggling with my own crosses.It does not mean applauding behavior that is morally detrimental, but rather calling people out of that and into lives where they can be truly happy.
As a traditionally Christian nation, I understand what the Canadian government is striving for. They have taken good, solid Christian values into account when building up this country but they are misinformed on how to properly execute their implementation into our Provinces and Territories. We have taken everything to an extreme to avoid stepping on anyone's toes or insulting anyone. Those are good intentions. However, they have forgotten to take into account that maybe not all behaviors, ways of life, procedures and ideas are appropriate, life-giving, fulfilling and good. Every good society needs restrictions, guide lines and rules. We are imperfect humans, all of us, and we cannot live without rules of some kind. So, where does this "to each his own" mentality draw it's line? It seems very blurry to me...
-Emily xo
What does it mean to be a Canadian Citizen?
According to the Canadian Government it means to have these values;
Equality, Respect for Cultural Differences, Freedom, Peace, Law & Order.
Does that not make this nation sound like some sort of Utopia? Yes, of course it does. That is why we are so multicultural (Google "what does it mean to be a Canadian"- you will find tons of articles headlining that we are multicultural).
Equality sounds lovely, doesn't it? In the Government article linked above it describes equality in this way;
We respect everyone's rights. Everyone has the right to speak out and express ideas that others might disagree with. Governments must treat everyone with equal dignity and respect- two other fundamental Canadian values.
Perfect? Well, maybe not. Here is the thing-everyone is not equal. They should be, but they are not. This nation has taken equality to mean that every person should have the rights to live as the wish, not as they should. And, as a Roman Catholic, I often disagree with how they go about this.
For example- I believe that homosexuality is spiritually immoral. I believe it to be sinful, detrimental to society, a mental illness/imbalance. I believe homosexuality is wrong. Always.
Now, I believe people who are homosexual deserve to be treated with the same dignity and respect as every other person on the planet, but I also believe that they are living lives of hardship, sin (if they are practicing their homosexuality), and lives that can, ultimately, destroy their souls.
I know it is my responsibility, as a Catholic, striving for Heaven, to help, guide, and encourage them on paths that will get them to Heaven (God willing). This means I still speak kind words, I still open doors for them. It means I visit with them and befriend them. It means I live my life in a way that exemplifies the teachings of the Catholic Church, in every aspect of my life. It means that I may never have to use words to tell them that the cross they've been given in life, like all our crosses, can lead them far from the gates of Heaven. It means my very life will, hopefully, be ministry enough to bring them home to our God.
As a Canadian, I am expected to smile & say, "good for them!" as Pride Parades sweep our nation every summer. It means I am not permitted to be uncomfortable by public displays of affection, involving two people of the same gender (even if I would be repulsed by the same display between a man & a woman). It means I cannot say that I believe homosexuality is a temptation, a cross, or a sin.
As a Canadian, I am expected to take the meaning of "equality" as everyone is the same, and others may live their lives as the wish- be it as homosexuals, pro-abortionist, those engaging in pre/post-marital sex...the list goes on.
As a Catholic, I believe everyone person is given crosses to bear in life. We struggle with different temptations for sin, and battle interior battles often. Homosexuality is one of those crosses. It is a temptation. I acknowledge that. I am always amazed when I hear stories of men & women who struggle with homosexuality, and are able to choose lives of chastity and purity. What a challenge that must be! See, homosexuals are called to lives of purity & chastity, the same as every other single person, dating, engaged and married couple are (here for more information). To not live in that way is a sin. No ifs, ands or buts.
As a Catholic I know that equality means treating everyone as my brother & sister, and loving them, despite their imperfections. I know it means encouraging & helping others out of their temptations for sin & into lives of fulfillment and faith. It means leaning on my brothers & sisters in Christ when I am weak & struggling with my own crosses.It does not mean applauding behavior that is morally detrimental, but rather calling people out of that and into lives where they can be truly happy.
As a traditionally Christian nation, I understand what the Canadian government is striving for. They have taken good, solid Christian values into account when building up this country but they are misinformed on how to properly execute their implementation into our Provinces and Territories. We have taken everything to an extreme to avoid stepping on anyone's toes or insulting anyone. Those are good intentions. However, they have forgotten to take into account that maybe not all behaviors, ways of life, procedures and ideas are appropriate, life-giving, fulfilling and good. Every good society needs restrictions, guide lines and rules. We are imperfect humans, all of us, and we cannot live without rules of some kind. So, where does this "to each his own" mentality draw it's line? It seems very blurry to me...
-Emily xo
Thursday, June 6, 2013
Quote of the Day- Seeking to do Good AND Happy Birthday, Marcus!!
"See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone."
-1 Thessalonians 5:15
A good reminder, but a difficult task! Join me in praying for strength to turn the other cheek.
Also, many, many birthday blessing to my dear friend and NET brother, Marcus. Happy Birthday!!
-Emily xo
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