If You Don't Read Anything Else, Read This

sweet and beautiful girls reading this...

can we all just stop this whole "rating" thing i've seen? about the top "prettiest" girls and "cutest" boys? and even if you're not doing it on here...can we stop the rating going on in our heads?

we base our worth and our value so much on what people say about us on facebook, the media, at school, work, our family...this culture. we get so wrapped up in the drama of everything...and we get lost. SO LOST...because we are searching in all the wrong places for things that will only temporarily satisfy because they make us feel good at the moment...or take our mind off the hard stuff that goes on in our lives. you fill in the blank.

i wish i could just sit down with you and hear your story...and listen...and cry and laugh and speak life to your broken and searching heart. so...since i can't really do that...can you hear me out on this?

if you want to stop searching for value...if you want to stop wondering if you're worth anything. if you want to stop thinking that you need to be a certain height, weight, size, color...you fill in the blank...let me introduce you to Someone. Someone who sees exactly who you are, exactly where you are...ups and downs...good days and bad days. Someone you don't have to pretend around or feel like you have to dress up or impress. Someone who really truly listens to you and actually cares about what's going on in your life. Someone who isn't concerned about your outward appearance or isn't just all about taking advantage of you.

sweet girl...this might seem too good to be true. it might seem way far off and like a dream. what guy thinks that way anymore? is there really someone out there who will take you for you? is there really someone who cares about you...just because he cares about you...and wants the best for you without taking advantage of you?

yes. 100 times, YES!! this Guy's love is so real and SO genuine. He is patient and kind. He speaks truth...but always in love. He always has your best interest in mind...and He never gives up on you. He sees that you mess up...but He's always there to take you back. He sees you for who you really are, but He's not scared by it...and only wants for you to see yourself how HE sees you.

you see, beautiful one...the only way to realize and believe how much you are worth...and how much you are valued...is to believe in the One who gave His life for you...because He loved you. YOU. so much. His name is JESUS. and when you get a taste of that love? oh my, what a life changing thing it is! you were worth dying for. don't you think that makes you worth something? don't you see how much He loves you? and He so desires a relationship with you, dear one. and all you have to do is ask. ask Him to come in and help you see yourself the way He does. it might be scary and take some time at first...but when you start to believe that your worth and value come from HIM...and not this world...you can walk in confidence! because when you receive Jesus and He lives inside of you...you have One who will NEVER leave you and NEVER forsake you. how incredible to have a friend like that! Jesus isn't in it just for a short term fling...He's in this relationship business for FOREVER. a FOREVER LOVE. PERFECT love.

you will only begin to believe and understand how much you are loved and how valued you are when you begin a relationship with Jesus Christ. this is where it starts, beloved...in your heart. not in your appearance or how many friends you have or the size pants you wear. it starts in your heart...between you and Jesus.

He's ready...are you?

it's only just begun

it's 12:03 am...and i probably should've gone to bed a few hours ago.

but do you ever have those nights where there's so much and you feel like you have something to say, but you just aren't sure how? so you sit in front of a blank piece of paper, just wishing that it would write itself out somehow?

yep. pretty much where i'm at. so...here goes.

life these past few days have been so...blissful.

no, i'm not dating. but i have been rejoicing with some dear friends of mine who are getting married soon and we're talking about how their man proposed and what color the dresses will be and what kind of flowers she'll be holding and where the wedding will be and how she has to taste test the food and how invitations are coming out soon and how she picked out a photographer...and the list joyfully goes on and on.

but more than anything...Jesus has been sweeping me off my feet...and i love it. it's like we're dancing and He's spinning me around and covering me with little things that He knows i like, just because. and He's smiling at me and just looking at me with eyes full of love...and desire...and passion. and He's saying, "Arise, My darling, My Beautiful One, and come with Me." (Song of Songs 2:10)

how can you resist an invitation like that? seriously?

and i've just been finding His call irresistible. it's like He has a secret just for me...and He wants to share it with me. but the only way i can receive it is by answering His call with "Yes, Lord...I am coming!" (Psalm 27:8)

it's like He's taking me past all the familiar places...comfortable as they may be...and taking me higher, deeper and farther into His love. yes. that's where He's taking me.

He's taking me into His heart.

He's showing me how it beats. how it loves. how it sees. how it listens. how it touches. how it LIVES.

He is showing me that He is the treasure of the universe. when i have Him, i have everything.

this is what i was created for. a divine romance with Jesus. i was created to delight in Him and find my joy...my everything...in the fullness of who He is.

everything i could ever need, HE IS.

He is the Bread of Life.
He is the Living Water.
He is Comfort.
He is the Prince of Peace.
He is TRUTH.
He is LIFE.
He is the WAY.
He is my Provider.
He is my Sustainer.
He is my Strength.
He is my Shield.
He is my Glory.
He is the Lifter of my head.
He is the Keeper of my heart.
He is the One who holds all things together.
He is the One who will never leave nor forsake me.
He is the One who delights in me.
He is the One who sings songs over me.
He is the One who holds me close to His heart.
He is Love.
He is Joy.
He is Light.
He is More than enough.
He is Tender.
He is Patient.
He is Kind.
He is Gentle.
He is Firm.
He is Beautiful.
He is Holy.
He is Righteousness.
He is Justice.
He is the One who became sin...to become my Righteousness.
He is God.
He is the Lover of my soul.

what more could i ask for?

how amazing that I am His...and HE IS MINE??

sometimes i wonder if it's even real, this love. and then He paints a sunset in the sky, with the clouds wisping across the expanse and whispers, "Do you see that? I painted that just for you. Let's sit and enjoy it....just you and Me."

ok...can you get any more romantic than that?!

and honestly...how tender He is with my heart. there are no words. sometimes it's breaking...sometimes it's crying...sometimes it's laughing...sometimes it's just not sure what it is. but the one thing that is sure and constant are the Hands that hold it. so gentle. so careful. so. tender. He never forces Himself, but He is always close.

and all it takes for Him to come near is for Him to hear His name: JESUS.

oh, the many times i have called out His name. and every time...EVERY TIME, BELOVED...He has come close.

this beautiful, divine romance? it's for real. it's living, breathing for real.

it's so much more than i could have ever imagined.

and it's only just begun.