I'm thankful for date night

Date night is here! Sadly, as parents, active church members, employees, children & grandchildren sometimes these responsibilities overwhelm us & we forget to spend ALONE TIME having fun together! Our love is so strong, such a blessing; & a true extension of God's love for each of us. However, we can definitely be susceptible to all the crazy busy-ness of this life & get irritable with each other or take each other for granted. I am forever grateful that my husband enjoys spending time with me-that we can still have great conversation, laugh with each other, & revel in comfortable silence. It's an amazing miracle to share this connection with someone in this life. Not to be too mushy, but this love brings tears to my eyes on a daily basis & the only thing more moving is what Jesus did for us on the cross. Ironic that just 5 years ago I thought I was happy being single & independent & figured I would stay that way for a long time...little did I know! I should have realized that God always has a better plan for your life than you could ever imagine! Enjoy each season of your life for what it teaches you & the special moments it will bring, just remember to be open to all the new & exciting curves in the road. My journey has brought me much heartache & I have the scars to prove it, but it has also taken me to the most beautiful places on earth & taught me about who I am and WHOSE I am so I wouldn't trade it with anyone. Date night reminds me I am blessed & thankful & will always remain in the shelter of the arms of the One who loves me more than anyone.

Identity crisis

God so loved me that He sent Jesus to die for me, even knowing all the sin in my life, poor choices I would make, & foolishness in my youth (& beyond!). This is why I must NOT allow any of these mistakes or sins drag me down or define me!! If He, in His infinite wisdom, says I am a beautiful & new creation, who am I to dispute that??? If we walk around with a chip on our shoulder, carrying past hurts & mess-ups, living in the past or, most likely, dragging it around behind us then our life must be like a slap in God's face! I refuse to let others in my past (or present) tell me I am unworththy, either outright or by the manner they treat me! Oh how I wish I had learned this much earlier in life; however I have NO REGRETS. To paraphrase Oprah, when you know better, you do better. All of life's storms & led me to this shore. I am a child of the King! I have Jesus in my heart! I have the Holy Spirit to guide me! Then He really blows my mind once I get that & start living it & blesses me with the most amazing husband who is a true extension of His love for me. Please let go of the past & surrender your life to Jesus. The wonder of what He can do with a sinner like me is truly a miracle. He can forgive-can you?