Love…

Is patient…

Is kind…

Doesn't envy…

Doesn't boast…

Isn't proud…

Isn't rude…

Isn't self-seeking…

Isn't easily angered…

Keeps no record of wrongs…

Doesn't delight in evil…

Rejoices with the truth…

Always protects…

Always trusts…

Always hopes…

Always perseveres…

Never fails.

Wow. What a powerful passage this is! I've had it on my heart for the past week or so. I think God's trying to get me to focus on it to help me live a more loving life-more loving towards Him, my family, my friends…everybody. And I've been trying. I still fall short of course (not that I'm condoning it; I'm just saying that I'm only human), but all I can do is let God pick me back up and ask Him to help me try it again. And I have been.

I think part (and possibly a lot) of the reason I mess up so much is because I
am human, therefore I do have a sinful nature, in which I seem to indulge in way too often. But I think another part is because the devil is doing every thing he can to thwart my attempts to get close to God. He is trying to break me-not sweetly broken, as God does, but broken because of my sins. But with God on my side, I'm unstoppable, right?

J
A prayer or two from friends (or future friends :-P) never hurt either. ;)

I went to see Evan Almighty a few weeks ago, and I was pretty impressed with it. It was funny…and "God" (in the movie lol) made a really good point. When we ask God for things (such as love, patience, kindness, etc…), God doesn't necessarily hand it to us, but he gives us opportunities to
use it. So lately, when I've been asking God to help me be patient & kind, to not envy or boast or be proud, God doesn't just say, "Hey Hilary! Here's the patience you asked for!" It's more like He says, "Hilary, here's a situation where you can choose to use or not use the patience you asked me for. It's a test, but I'm right here beside you, ready to help, should you ask me for it." Sometimes I ask him for help, and other times I'm arrogant enough to assume I can do it on my own. (Which, of course, I CAN'T, proven by the outcome of the situation, which usually isn't a positive one. Go figure. Lol)

I'm here though Lord, Yours, ready to learn and ready to face any challenges that might come my way, with You on my side.