Created To Love.

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