I haven’t written in a while...
Truthfully, a lot has changed since I last wrote any form of a blog. Allow me to
explain….
Recently, I was driving through the
mountains. I was surrounded by stretches of vast views from deep valleys to
mountain summit peaks. In the midst of the lengthy highway traveled, I
continued to think of this re-occurring theme. I could quickly blame it on
wedding photographers blitzing social media or entering the typical wedding
season, but for some reason I continued to think of the road traveled towards
love.
In the passenger seat was my best
friend, she was verbalizing a variety of things as I simply listened. We got out
to stretch our legs at one of my favorite stops. When we returned to the
vehicle, I suddenly began to speak from a place of boldness and with such
authority to my sheer surprise! Thus, this very clear theme emerged: YOU ARE
CREATED TO LOVE!
She is about to get married. That
shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone, since our house is full of wedding decor and
inspiring ideas on Pintrest is the re-occurring topic of conversation.
Truthfully, I secretly check the mailbox each morning to eagerly discover the
latest wedding package via UPS.
The fact is evident: one of my best
friend's has found love. But there is a story, like any tale of love, yet this
one might be my favorite.
In September of 2012, I met her. It was
a brief encounter, yet in that moment I knew there was purpose in meeting her.
I would have never envisioned that a year later, we would be traveling and
speaking to hundreds of people together. We spent many hours in a vehicle traveling;
as a result we shared a common dream. Truthfully, we didn’t understand love.
But, we both confessed that we dreamed of falling in love again. Ironically, we
mumbled the phrase, “perfect love drives out fear” (1 John 4:18). We made a vow
in the car that we wouldn’t be afraid to love again.
Ironically, a few months later we were
38,000 feet in the air and on route to Europe. A long awaited trip, even a
distant dream, was about to become a reality. We didn't expect that projectile
vomit would be apart of our on board experience. Isn't that true with most of
life? Those unexpected hiccups in the plan we had anticipated or formulated in
our mind. Yet, there I humbly cleaned the remains of my best friend's stomach
contents.
The on board flight movie highlighted
that love goes beyond the initial likes or attraction and chooses to love the
parts of someone that are less than desired. I didn't desire vomit. Yet because
I loved her, I happily cleaned such nasty regurgitated food bits, settled her
back to her seat, rubbed her back, and prayed for healing upon her body. Why?
It's simple, I love her and I'd do anything to ensure she knows that.
Oddly, I think that was the point of
the trip. To actually grasp what love is in it's less than desired pieces or
even places. We seem to talk or read about love as if it's a foreign concept.
Instead, I believe we have made it complicated and impossible. As a result, we
have lost those simple and humble moments to choose love. Any psychologist will
tell you the basic reality that we learn to love from infancy into adulthood.
Hence, it is a choice!
I scribbled those words down
before landing in Venice, Italy. We met up with two guy friends and began
the three-week adventure of back packing through Italy and Greece. Near the end
of the trip, I snapped a specific photo. I can still hear the random
stranger yelling, “Hey! You better get that photo or I will!” Ironically,
I had already captured the moment by digital film and in response I merely
giggled. On that day, I knew something changed. I saw him make a choice to
love my best friend the way I loved her. Furthermore, I witnessed
her willingness to take a risk and love again!
We returned home and the details all
blend together now, yet I am delighted to report that in 54 days they will be
married. Lately, I am asked, “do you think they are ready?” My answer
is the same, “Yes, because I know they have committed to
loving each other.” I’ve watched how are intentional in the way
they love each other. They don’t know it, yet they have both inspired
me to choose love. Truthfully, they have given me the greatest gift lately,
which is learning that my capacity to love is bigger than I ever imagined.
Their example has inspired me to learn to love better, love
differently than before, love without fear, love even when it seems
impossible, love as a form of support, and love because in the end that is all
God has ever asked.
Today, I choose to learn to love again! {1 John 4:18}
Charlene
Charlene
