Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Healthy loving



At times, I get confused regarding healthy love.  Jesus has instructed me to love all people.  However, I can't find one single time that He tells us to love in an unhealthy way.

Recently, I was in a situation where a person was sucking the life out of me.  She was being very passive aggressive and manipulative.  Sadly, she is very insecure and demands that those around her take care of her feelings, including her children.  As I was sitting talking with her, I felt my frustration rise and my skin began to crawl.  I'm just being honest...

When the event was finally over and I was able to leave, I felt like a ticking time bomb.  I don't like being manipulated with pouting, poor me comments, and sighs.I went home and talked with my husband.  I told him all of my feelings, including feeling very badly for even being frustrated.  I was feeling like a bad Jesus girl because I was at my wits end with the situation.  Why is it that if I don't hear birds singing, I feel guilt??  

My husband said something that made me step back and really think.  He said, "Don't you think this is what you are supposed to be feeling?  You weren't called by Jesus to be a punching bag or to love in an unhealthy way."  He told me that it was good that this situation made me uncomfortable because true love will never be carried in on manipulation and games.

I struggle with this love thing.  I have realized that I don't feel like I am loving if I'm not pleasing people.  These two things are not one in the same.  Love is not enabling someone to stay in a mindset or situation that causes them pain.  If I say exactly what someone wants to hear or behave in unhealthy ways, that is not love.  Love can be hard, but love is what we have been called to do.  True love is a healthy, unselfish love that always points to Jesus.  True love is grace, mercy, and forgiveness without any games attached.  


Friday, March 22, 2013

Time flies when the weather is beautiful!

I cannot believe it has been so long since I last posted!!  I have been catching up on things around our home and truly enjoying the weather that this time of year brings.  I love being outside and, therefore, have completely neglected this blog and the ones I so enjoy reading.  I hope this post finds everyone well, happy, and full of joy!!

Here is what we have been up to...

 We were about to tour Bishop's Palace in Galveston.
 Luke shows off his dance moves every chance he gets!
 I love this picture!!  
 Daddy daughter time. :)
 My sweet family posing for a picture.
 We found an old phone booth.  The kids thought going into a box to talk on a phone was hilarious!
 Candy!!!!!
 Luke saw what he thought was a longhorn and gave the UT sign upside down.  He is a true Aggie.
 The boys having a sweet conversation.  Jorden is so attentive to Luke.  I love the bond that they share.
 Captured by the youngest....
 My sweeties....this is one of my favorite pictures.
 Man time by the fire pit.
 They are both very attached to their balls.  
 Emily said she would play basketball with Luke.  He did not go easy on the girl!!
 The innocent look on his face melts my heart.  
 The higher the better for Emily!
 I decided to try out this nifty contraption...
 Luke showed me the correct way to do it. :)
 I love her smile...it makes my heart flutter...
 She was scared to slide down the fireman pole.  Her fear was cracking her up!
 She fought the fear and did it!
 Yep, swimming in his undies!!  When the pool calls, sometimes you just go in!  He loves to jump off of the side of the pool and dunk the ball.  He will do it over, and over, and over, and, did I say over?!?
 Fun times doing yard work.
 Luke throws the tennis ball at Jorden's bottom.  Jorden was taken by surprise when the ball made contact!
 The boys roll Emily around in the trash can.  She was cracking up the whole time!
 Boys just have to wrestle....
Emily teamed up with Luke.  Looks like they won.  Emily's look is devious!!

I thank God for all of these wonderful moments with my family.  They have shown me what true love is.  We stick together through the good times and bad.  I thank my sweet Jesus every single day for letting me be Barry's wife and Jorden, Emily, and Luke's mama.

My love to everyone!!