A Love Story

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.  Love never fails."

1 Corinthians 13: 4-8 (NIV)

Hello My Darlings!

How are you today? Love has certainly been in the air lately. Unfortunately Fannie Mae, Brachs, and Dove have also been in my mouth lately. If you are suffering from a chocolate hang-over, I hope you can carve out some exercise time today. I know I feel better after a walk, jog, or yoga session. 

During my work-out this morning, I reflected upon my writing process. I always begin with prayer, thanking God for the ability He gives me and asking Him to flow through me as I write. I want my words to be His words and what I write to be honest and entertaining yet truthful, bringing Him glory. Yesterday, I began as usual with this prayer. But I found as I started to write, the devotional flowed nothing like the outline I had in my head when I started. I had intended to tell a love story between two people I know. God had another plan!

Looking back, I see my mission was to point out that God has a love story with each one of YOU that is better than any love story I can tell between two humans. As noted yesterday, God has written you a beautiful love letter, the Bible, and through His letter He reveals Himself to you. As you read the Bible, your love story will grow and unfold in details beyond your wildest imagination and longing. Furthermore, your love story will grow to include other people--as you are perfectly loved by the Lord, so too will you be enabled to more perfectly love others.

With that background, after praying again today, I feel that I can now tell a human love story! This tale is very near and dear to my heart--and no, honey, if you are reading, I am not about to reveal the way you swept me off my feet and into your arms so many years ago! 

I want to introduce you to Todd and Katy. I met Todd three years ago when he spoke at a meeting of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. His presentation moved many students (and me) to tears. Todd and I developed a friendship, and in the time since, he has attended many of our FCA meetings and twice shared his testimony with the teens. Katy accompanied Todd, but she remained in the background--until this week. On February 13th, Katy publicly spoke for only the fifth time about the twists and turns her life has taken since suffering a severe traumatic brain injury after being struck by a moving vehicle on December 23, 2003. This amazing couple lives what I call it a 1 Corinthians 13 love story--both being perfectly loved by an infallible God and loving in return with hearts like Jesus.

Beginning tomorrow, I will write what Todd and Katy have shared with me about their journey, individually and in their marriage. My hope is that you will be encouraged and enlightened to what God can do in your life through the revelation of God's providence during this couple's tragedy, struggle, perseverance, and triumphs.

Until then, Girlfriends, will you please spend some time in prayer and reflection over the verses at the top of the page (1 Corinthians 13:4-8) and ask God to prepare your heart for what He wants you to take away from Todd and Katy's story? After all, as the title of my blog states, whether it is my story, your story, or their story, we are all woven together into God's story--and what a story He creates!