Light, Love, Hope

For my final day of the quote challenge, I share the following that really spoke to my heart.  If people are honest, everyone struggles from time to time in their relationships and marriages.  Sure, we would like to all believe only the good that is shared on Facebook.  The lovely pictures of couples holding hands or snuggling together as they take a selfie together.  Reminiscing about their wedding day by sharing pictures all dressed in lace and white while he’s in his tuxedo with his arms around you.  Even the family pictures where you’re smiling while holding each other next to your children.  Yes, those types of happy moments that we all wish would stay. Those picture perfect moments that we show the world.  Meanwhile, there are struggles behind closed doors, and maybe that is the beauty of Facebook and other social media in that we choose NOT to share those struggles with everyone on our friend’s list.  We choose to share the wonderful moments that warm our hearts as we pretend all is well … and at one point, it was … and it can be again.

Today I share this quote because it spoke to the depths of my heart about a rekindling love that my husband and I have for each other.  We’re honest about our struggles, yet we’re rebuilding, rekindling, and we are living our picture perfect love story out now.  We thank GOD for our marriage, our children, our love, and each other.  Our love matches those picture perfect moments … and I hope they will stay.

If you want to change the world …

love a woman, just one woman.

Love and protect her

as if she is the last holy vessel.

Love her through her fear of abandonment

which she has been holding for all of humanity.

No, the wound is not hers to heal alone.

No, she is not weak in her co-dependence.

If you want to change the world…

love a woman all the way through

until she believes you,

until her instincts, her visions, her voice,

her art, her passion, her wildness have returned to her-

until she is a force of love more powerful

than all the political media demons

who seek to devalue and destroy her.

~ Lisa Citore ~

For day two of this challenge, I’d like to share with you a quote that has really meant so much to me through the years since I found it.  This quote is from Joyce Meyer.  Now, I do realize that some people love her while others do not.  I’m not here to debate at all on this but to offer the quote that helped me when I needed it the most.

True freedom never comes until we fully realize

that we don’t need to struggle to get from man

what God freely gives us:

love,

acceptance,

approval,

security,

worth,

and

value.

~Joyce Meyer~

I wanted to emphasize on the words, thus the reason I placed them by themselves to really draw attention to them.

How many times have we all struggled in this area?  Whether we were trying so hard to gain the approval of our parents, siblings, or other family members … or whether it was friends or coworkers on the job … or maybe even approval from a controlling person that focused only on themselves unless they were tearing at your self esteem and self worth?  I think we have all struggled from time to time with self esteem issues and self confidence.  When I found this in one of Joyce Meyer’s books, it screamed at me,

“STRUGGLE NO MORE, CHILD!!!”

We have everything we’ve been searching for right there in the arms of Jesus Christ!  God not only approves of us, He loves us so completely!  There is no need to strive to gain from man what GOD freely gives each and every one of us!

Be blessed and encouraged today, whether you’re a huge fan of Joyce Meyer or not.  Her words encouraged me when I greatly needed it at a time in my life when I was extremely down and out over the disapproval of others all around me in the work place.  Thankfully, I was able to get out of that toxic work environment.  This quote helped to strengthen me and realize that my strength came from the Lord … who has already approved me, loved me, and offers so much love and acceptance while providing security!  I know I have worth and value.  My Jesus tells me so!

Chances are that you’ve heard the following quote by Mother Teresa before.  I’d like to share it with you any way, and I ask that you please take time to slowly read through it allowing her words to touch the very heart of you.

People are often unreasonable and self-centered.

Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of ulterior motives.

Be kind anyway.

If you find happiness, people may be jealous.

Be happy anyway.

The good you do today may be forgotten tomorrow.

Do good anyway.

Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough.

Give your best anyway.

For you see, in the end, it is between you and God.

It never was between you and them anyway.

~Mother Teresa

Her words are perfectly stated and confirm what I’ve said on this site before.  Whatever you do, do it for the glory of God.  The only one you truly need to be concerned with is God.  Do all things for your audience of ONE, and when your time on earth is through, you shall hear Him say, “Well done, my child, my good and faithful servant.”

~*~*~*~*~

My sweet friend and fellow blogger, Barbara London, previously offered this quote challenge that I have now accepted.  I have felt like I did not have much to offer in the way of words of wisdom lately, and so the blog fell silent until Greg posted this past week, which I appreciate much more than he will ever know.

Going back and reading Barbara’s challenge stirred something within my soul and inspired me to write again.  Someone out there may need to read these words, and so here I am.

Thank you, Barbara, for issuing this challenge, but more than that … thank you for being such an inspiration with YOUR words and the wonderful person that you are.  I look forward to reading your Facebook posts daily, and I look forward to reading your blog.  You are some kind of wonderful, and I hope you know it … I mean truly know it to the very core of your being.  I have been blessed to get to know you better and be called “Friend.”